IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING WOVEN FABRICS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING WOVEN FABRICS." A
communication from abroad by Alphonse Delharpe, of Tarare, Department of
the Rhône. France. Finisher.
Sealed the 29th August 1879, and dated the 12th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th March 1879.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. " IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR
DRYING WOVEN FABRICS." A communication from abroad by Alphonse Delharpe,
of Tarare, Department of the Rhône, France, Finisher.
A cloth or fabric wetted and stretched even in a very warm medium dries but
slowly, and therefore in finishing works to hasten the drying the air is kept in
motion upon the fabric.
The inventor of the improvements, the subject of this Invention, having to seek
the quickest node of drying by means of hot air, and having formed it into a
system has sought to solve the problem of an instantaneous drying; but, never-
theless, the means and apparatus hereinafter described may be used for a less rapid
drying extending over any length of time.
The rule to be followed in the use of this system is to apply it according to the
requirements of the articles to be treated and the results it is desired to obtain.
A few preliminary details are indispensable.
The commonest way of drying in bleaching works is by the evaporation
chamber.
In finishing works the methods of drying are more varied. There are several
kinds of finishing looms or frames; I group them in three classes,-
1°. The drum or cylinder machine.
2°. The frame or loom with fixed or inflexible rails or bars.
3°. The frame or loom with continuous or travelling rails or bars.
The drying drums are exclusively heated by steam.
There is no fixed rule for the drying upon the two other looms or frames.
..מ
1

page_text: Generally the looms with inflexible rails or bars, which are from 10 to 60 yards
in length, are fitted in workrooms heated to between 40 to 55 degrees "Centi-
grade" and are provided with rotating or oscillating apparatus running along their
entire length and violently agitating the air upon the fabric. They are sometimes
served by a fire box circulating upon rails. The looms with continuous rails, bars, or
side frames being shorter have more active modes of drying, they operate by hot
air, by steam, and by fire,
The system of drying of this Invention is applicable to all these kinds of looms
or frames, and may be adapted to each of them by conforming to the requirements
of the article to be treated and the construction of the loom or frame. It is com-
posed in principle of a fan or ventilator of any kind, or of a blower with piston,
sucking or drawing in air from the outside and forcing it into the chambers of a
heater to spread it over the fabric at high temperatures by means of distributors
fitted beneath or above the frame or loom, these distributors being simply tubes
or receivers pierced with holes or openings on the side towards the fabric.
The oscillating apparatus travels easily over the fabric and covers it with hot air
from one selvedge to the other within the limits or range of its movement.
In other cases the apparatus simply oscillates upon itself, directing its projections
upon the fabric.
I may use it singly or in any number in the entire length of the finishing loom
or frame.
The fixed distributors are receivers with continuous projections also arranged
below or above the loom.
The air escapes on to the fabric by openings in an oblique or in a vertical
direction at suitable distances apart (see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the accompanying
Sheet of Drawing).
These two arrangements are more particularly adaptable to the looms with fixed
rails or bars, and those with continuous rails or bars.
Amongst other possible forms I may mention receivers which may, if required,
move up and down on the loom, distributors worked by hand, and automatic
distributors with one or several mouths or openings, carriages with compressed air
circulating beneath the fabric, &c., &c.
All these forms are but applications of an invariable principle, as are also those
which will be hereinafter described, but for which it is necessary that I should
state the theory of instantaneous drying.
I take it as a fact that a volume of water evaporates spontaneously under the
action of a quantity of caloric, corresponding scientifically to this work of
evaporation.
As regards woven fabrics the obstacle to the spontaneous drying is explained by
the difficulty of ensuring the presence of the caloric and the water together in
proportionate quantities, and above all by the impossibility of applying spon-
taneously to the evaporation of this water the entire amount of caloric required,
inasmuch that the cloths or fabrics burn at between 150 and 200 degrees
Centigrade."
In the system, the subject of this Invention, the deficiency in the intensity of
the heat is made up by the volume of air directed upon the fabric, keeping it at the
highest temperature, but always suitable to the fabric. From the moment that the
action of drying is in relation to the volume of the heat and the hygrometric state
of the air, it is certain that by accumulating upon the fabric dry air at between
120 and 150 degrees "Centigrade," the wetness of the fabric will be overcome in a
very short lapse of time.
This is the phenomenon which the inventor terms "instantaneous drying," a
designation which is true only by analogy; it is intended to mean a very rapid
drying.
To obtain this result it is however not only necessary simply to cause a con-
tinuous current to converge upon the fabric, or to make the cloth or fabric travel
in the direction of the current or against it, but as the instantaneous drying results

page_text: above all from the violent or forcible projection of the current through the meshes
of the fabric, it is requisite that the hot air should penetrate into its smallest
fibres and be incessantly placed in presence of all the molecules of the water to be
evaporated.
It is this which has led the inventor to use for the drying of woven fabrics
machines for projecting air of much greater power than the fans in actual use.
To apply as much as possible this theory that a fabric dries very rapidly only
by the passage through its meshes of a current more or less charged with caloric.
When treating thick and almost impenetrable articles it will be best to penetrato
into it on both faces at once by two currents diametrically opposed.
From this observation it will be evident that for a great number of articles it
becomes needless to employ either the evaporation chamber, the loom, or frame
with fixed bars or rails, the loom with continuous bars or the drum machine, as a
simple passage of the stuff or fabric between rollers, bars, or stretchers under the
incessant action of a very hot current may suffice for its drying and for its
finishing.
It is only necessary for the finishing that the fabric should be well stretched
both as regards the woof and the warp threads in the restricted space attacked by
the current.
If required, this decisive phase or stage of the operation will be prepared by first
directing upon the fabric travelling towards the apparatus a current intended to
free it from a portion of the water which wets it.
This kind of apparatus may take a variety of forms. I may arrange it so that
the cloth or fabric enters it horizontally through a thin slit or slot, and is submitted
in its passage to the action of a vertical current.
.
3
It is immediately preceded and followed by two stretchers or extenders (see
Figure 7). To increase the action of the current I may send it through curved
chambers, which will permit it to pass and repass through the meshes of the fabric
(see Figure 8).
If, however, it is preferred to finish upon the continuous bar, loom, or frame,
the fabric will be fixed by its selvedges to clamping arrangements or to pins
and directed upon straight or circular surfaces projecting hot air by mouths, slits,
or holes like in a sieve.
It is by similar apparatuses that I replace the steam drums. The hot air enters
by a trunnion of large diameter, and instead of issuing by the opposite trunnion
it escapes upon the fabric in motion at some distance from the drums (see
Figure 6).
I may apply this improved system under all the conditions above set forth to the
drying and finishing of woven fabrics of every substance.
In conclusion, I would observe that in all these various air apparatuses the section
of entrance should correspond with that of exit, so as to leave the air all its pro-
jective force. The speed and the weight of the propelled air should be apportioned
to the resistance to be overcome. This resistance which arises from the friction
and the vis inertia of the atmospheric air at the outlets often results in equili-
brating, and more than equilibrating the slight pressure of fans with centrifugal
force; there is then a propulsion back towards the suction or inlet orifices and the
air escapes. The action of the piston-blower is efficacious and certain. Without
lessening the value of what has above been stated I may add that the projections
of the blower and of the fan freed from impediments come upon the fabric with
such a continuity, and in such abundance that the air taken from an ordinary hot
chamber and even that taken from the atmosphere, at least in summer time, may
be and is sufficient to obtain a very rapid dessication of the fabric.
It will be understood that in addition to the particular conditions above specified,
this Invention comprises the projection upon the fabric or cloth of air at any tem-
perature and taken from any source.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
September 1879.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR
DRYING WOVEN FABRICS." A communication from abroad by Alphonse Delharpe
of Tarare, Department of the Rhône, France, Finisher.
A cloth or fabric wetted and stretched even in a very warm medium dries but
slowly, and therefore in finishing-works to hasten the drying the air is kept in
motion upon the fabric.
The inventor of the improvements, the subject of this Invention, having to seek
the quickest mode of drying by means of hot air, and having formed it into a
system, has sought to solve the problem of an instantaneous drying, but nevertheless
the means and apparatuses hereinafter described may be used for a less rapid drying
extending over any length of time.
The rule to be followed in the use of this system is to apply it according to the
requirements of the articles to be treated, and the results it is desired to
obtain.
A few preliminary details are indispensable.
The commonest way of drying in bleaching-works is by the evaporation
chamber.
In finishing-works the methods of drying are more varied. There are several
kinds of finishing looms or frames; I group them in three classes: -1°. The drum
or cylinder machine. 2°. The frame or loom with fixed or inflexible rails or bars.
3°. The frame or loom with continuous or travelling rails or bars.
The drying drums are exclusively heated by steam.
There is no fixed rule for drying upon the two other looms or frames.
Generally the looms with fixed or inflexible rails or bars, which are from ten to
sixty yards in length, are fitted in work rooms heated to between 40 and 50 degrees
Centigrade," and are provided with rotating or oscillating apparatus running
along their entire length, and violently agitating the air upon the fabric. They are
sometimes served by a fire-box circulating upon rails. The looms with continuous
rails, bars, or side frames being shorter have more active modes of drying; they
operate by hot air, by steam, and by fire.
The system of drying of this Invention is applicable to all these kinds of looms
or frames, and may be adapted to each of them by conforming to the requirements
of the article to be treated, and the construction of the loom or frame. It is com-
posed in principle of a fan or ventilator of any kind, or of a blower, with piston
sucking or drawing in air from the outside, and forcing it into the chambers of a
heater to spread it over the fabric at high temperatures by means of distributors
fitted beneath or above the frame or loom, these distributors being simply tubes or
receivers pierced with holes or openings on the side towards the fabric.
The oscillating apparatus travels easily over the fabric, and covers it with hot
air from one selvedge to the other within the limits or range of its movement.
In other cases the apparatus simply oscillates upon itself, directing its projections 4
or blasts upon the fabric.
I may use it singly or in any number in the entire length of the finishing loom
or frame.
The fixed distributors are receivers with continuous projections or blasts, also
arranged below or above the loom.
The air escapes on to the fabric by openings in an oblique or in a vertical direc-
tion at suitable distances apart (see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, of the accompanying Sheet
of Drawing).
6

page_text: These two arrangements are more particularly adaptable to the looms with fixed
rails or bars, and those with continuous rails or bars.
Amongst the possible forms I may mention receivers which may if required move
up and down on the loom, distributors worked by hand, and automatic distributors
with one or several mouths or openings, carriages with compressed air circulating
beneath the fabric, etc., etc.
All these forms are but applications of an invariable principle, as are also those
which will be hereinafter described, but for which it is necessary that I should
state the theory of instantaneous drying.
I take it as a fact that a volume of water evaporates spontaneously under
the action of a quantity of caloric corresponding scientifically to this work of
evaporation.
As regards woven fabrics the obstacle to the spontaneous drying is explained by
the difficulty of ensuring the presence of the caloric and the water together in
proportionate quantities, and above all by the impossibility of applying sponta-
neously to the evaporation of this water the entire amount of caloric required,
inasmuch that the cloths or fabrics burn at between 150 and 200 degrees
Centigrade."
"
In the system the subject of this Invention the deficiency in the intensity of the
heat is made up by the volume of air directed upon the fabric, keeping it at the
highest temperatures, but always suitable to the fabric. From the moment that
the action of drying is in relation to the volume of the heat and the hygrometric
state of the air, it is certain that by accumulating upon the fabric dry air at between
120 and 150 degrees " Centigrade" the wetness of the fabric will be overcome and
disappear in a very short lapse of time.
This is the phenomenon which the inventor terms "instantaneous drying," a
designation which is true only by analogy; it is intended to mean a very rapid
drying.
To obtain the result it is however not only necessary simply to cause a continuous
current to converge upon the fabric, or to make the cloth or fabric travel in the
direction of this current or against it; but as the instantaneous drying results
above all from the violent or forcible projection of the current through the meshes
of the fabric, it is requisito that the hot air should penetrate into its smallest
fibres, and be incessantly placed in presence of all the molecules of the water to be
evaporated.
It is this which has led the inventor to use for the drying of woven fabrics
machines for projecting air of much greater power than the fans in actual use.
To apply as much as possible this theory that a fabric dries very rapidly only by
the passage through its meshes of a current more or less charged with caloric, when
treating thick and almost impenetrable articles, it will be best to penetrate into it
on both faces at once by two currents diametrically opposed.
From this observation it will be evident that for a great number of articles it
becomes needless to employ either the evaporation chamber, the loom or frame with
fixed rails or bars, the loom with continuous bars, or the drum machine, as a simple
passage of the stuff or fabric between rollers, bars, or stretchers, under the incessant
action of a very hot current, may suffice for its drying and for its finishing.
It is only necessary for the finishing that the fabric should be well stretched,
both as regards the woof and the warp threads in the restricted space attacked by
the current.
If required this decisive phase or stage of the operation will be prepared by first
directing upon the fabric travelling towards the apparatus a current intended to
free it from a portion of the water which wets it.
This kind of apparatus may take a variety of forms; I may arrange it so that
the cloth or fabric enters it horizontally through a thin slit or slot, and is submitted
in its passage to the action of a vertical current.
It is immediately preceded and followed by two stretchers or extenders (see
Fig. 7). To increase the action of the current I may send it through curved

page_text: chambers, which will permit it to pass and repass through the meshes of the fabric
(see Fig. 8).
If however it is preferred to finish upon the continuous bar, loom, or frame, the
fabric will be fixed by its selvedges to clamping arrangements or to pins, and
directed upon straight or circular surfaces, projecting hot air by mouths, slits, or
holes like in a sieve.
It is by similar apparatuses that I replace the steam drums. The hot air enters
by a trunnion of large diameter, and instead of opening by the opposite trunnion it
escapes upon the fabric in motion at some distance from the drums (see Fig. 6).
I may apply this improved system under all the conditions above set forth to
the drying and finishing of woven fabrics of every substance, bleached, finished, or
printed.
In conclusion I would observe that in all these various air apparatuses the section
of entrance should correspond with that of exit, so as to leave the air all its pro-
jective force. The speed and the weight of the propelled air should be apportioned
to the resistance to be overcome. This resistance, which arises from the friction
and vis inertia of the atmospheric air at the outlets, often results in equilibrating
and more than equilibrating the slight pressure of fans with centrifugal force;
there is then a propulsion back towards the section or inlet orifices, and the air
escapes. The action of the piston-blower is efficacious and certain. Without
lessening the value of what has above been stated I may add that the projections
of the blower and of the fan freed from impediments come upon the fabric with
such a continuity and in such abundance that the air taken from an ordinary hot
chamber, and even that taken from the atmosphere, at least in summer time,
may be and is sufficient to obtain a very rapid dessication of the fabric.
It will be understood that in addition to the particular conditions above specified
this Invention comprises the projection upon the fabric or cloth of air at any
temperature and taken from any source.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention, commu-
nicated to me as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed,
what-
I claim as secured to me by the bereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
The drying of woven fabrics by hot air driven by a blowing machine or blast
Engine, either into a chambered table or a drum pierced with openings facing the
woven fabric, or into one or more perforated tubes, fixed or oscillating, placed
above or beneath finishing looms or frames in their entire length, and the applica-
tion of this system to drum or cylinder machines, to frames or looms with fixed
rails or bars, to frames or looms with continuous rails or bars, and to the drying of
all kinds of woven fabrics, bleached, finished, or printed, and without any fastenings,
substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.