Improvements in Dyeing and otherwise Treating Cotton and other Piece Goods, and in Machinery or Apparatus to be Used for the Purpose.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 29th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Mar.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dyeing and otherwise Treating Cotton and other
Piece Goods, and in Machinery or Apparatus to be Used for the
Purpose.
We, GEORGE NORRIS MIDWOOD, of Irkdale Print Works, Smedley Old Road,
Collyhurst, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Bleacher Printer aud Dyer,
and CHARLES EDMESTON of the Firm of A. Edmeston & Sons of Cannon Street
Works, Salford, Manchester aforesaid, Millwrights and Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention, to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to dyeing piece goods with benzo and similar substantive
colors, and to other dyeing, and to dyeing with indigo blue, and also to treating
certain fabrics, in some cases preparatory to dyeing, to effect an operation commonly
termed "scouring" and "crabbing" and our invention also relates to the combined
machinery or apparatus used for these purposes.
Firstly. Our invention relates to dyeing piece goods with benzo and other
similar substantive colors, which operation has hitherto been effected in what are
termed open "becks," vessels or "jiggers."
rope'
"
By our improved process of dyeing we pass the piece goods either in the "
or "open" form through a closed vessel or chamber such goods passing in at one
end of the chamber under and over a series of rollers within the chamber and then
out at the other end of the chamber, in one or several continuous lengths. The
dye or liquor is within the closed chamber and the pressure of steam also within it
causes the liquor to boil and acts to force a part of the liquor into a space formed
by a partition at each end of the chamber extending from its top nearly to its
bottom, through which spaces at each end the cloth passes in going into and ont
of the closed chamber, the liquor in these spaces thus counter-balances the pressure
within the chamber and forms a seal against the escape of steam or liquor or
admission of air.
The upper part of the interior of the closed vessel forms a steaming chamber
in which the goods can be subjected while passing through the chamber to a greater
"beck or vessel not
steam pressure and thus to more heat than in an open
enclosed from the atmosphere, and the goods by our process and apparatus are
frequently saturated, and steamed after being saturated or immersed in the liquor
while passing through the closed chamber.
There are pipes and other means by which the proper dye liquor, water and steam
are supplied to the closed treating chamber as required.
There are or may also be squeezing rollers to act upon the passing piece goods
both within the interior of the closed chamber and upon its exterior, by which
surplus liquor is expressed which liquor when removed from the goods on the
exterior of the closed chamber may be returned thereto or conveyed to any suitable
receptacle as may be desired.
Secondly. By a modification of the closed chamber above described under the
first head of our invention, operations are and may be effected, similar to those
carried out by the ordinary "ince beck," but much more effectively, by applying
one or more winces, and causing the cloth to pass from the wince at one end of the
closed chamber, pass through it where it is subjected to the required treating liquor
within the chamber, and then pass out at the other end of the closed vessel or

page_text: chamber to the wince or winces, until sufficiently treated when the cloths are
delivered into a batch and a fresh lot of cloth is passed over the wince or winces
and into the closed chamber to be treated in like manner.
66
Thirdly. Our invention consists in dyeing by a process similar to that effected
by what is known as the common jigger," which we also carry out by a modi-
fication of the closed chamber hereinbefore referred to under the first head of our
invention.
By our improved jigger process we operate in the open form upon the piece
goods which as in the common jigger are wound upon one roller and then unwound
from it and wound on to another roller and so on backwards and forwards as often
as desired from one roller to the other, but in going from one roller the cloth
passes into one end of the closed chamber under and over rollers in it and out at
the other end of the closed chamber on to the other roller, and is acted upon by
the liquor and steam within the closed chamber, and after the cloth has been moved
to and fro from one roller to the other passing through the closed chamber as
often as required, it goes on to a batch roller and another length of cloth is
substituted to be treated in like manner.
Fourthly. Italian cloths and similar fabrics are finished and prepared for dyeing
by a process termed "scouring and crabbing."
This part of our invention consists in effecting the object of the scouring and
crabbing process, in a better and more effective manner and in much less time by a
modification of the closed chamber hereinbefore referred to.
Our improved scouring and crabbing process is carried out by an arrangement
similar to that for the jigger process described under the third head of our
invention, except that a roller is added to each of the two rollers upon which the
cloth is wound in the open form to put pressure upon the cloth as it is being wound
upon and unwound from the rollers-the cloth in going from one pair of rollers to
the other passing into the closed chamber at one end and out at the other, being
subjected to the required liquor within the closed chamber and also to the steam
therein.
Fifthly. Our invention relates to improved means for dyeing with indigo blue
and for this improved process we employ a modification of the closed chamber
hereinbefore referred to, or a modification of the ordinary indigo vat and apparatus
for dyeing piece goods with indigo blue.
We
The principal object of this part of our invention is to prevent the dye liquor
which is open to the atmosphere in an ordinary indigo dye vat from becoming
oxidized, and we arrange so that dye liquor is in a closed chamber or vat.
prefer to add to the dye vat an inverted vessel which has sides all round, and will
fit into the inside of the vat for the dye liquor, but will leave a space on opposite
sides which is filled with liquor that acts as a seal against the entrance of
atmospheric air, these two spaces allowing the cloth to pass into the rat or closed
chamber under and over a series of rollers and then out at the other space to the
folding or other mechanism.
The inverted vessel is or may be attached to the frame carrying the rollers, or
may be separate from such frame and the inverted vessel is arrauged so as to be
readily lifted from and lowered again into the vat and held down when in the
working position the frame for the rollers and inverted vessel being lifted at the same
time when the two are attached together.
The air is forced out of or withdrawn from the inverted vessel when it is lowered
into the vat.
The closed chamber referred to under heads one to four inclusive, may be made
by one vessel which may be termed the lower vessel with its open end upwards,
and an upper inverted vessel with its open end downwards and fitting within and
capable of being lowered into and raised from the lower vessel.
Two opposite sides of the inverted vessel may rest upon the bottom of the lower
vessel and the other two sides may extend to within a short distance from the
bottom of the lower vessel and it is on these two sides that there is a space

page_text: left between the lower and inverted vessels for the cloth to pass into and out of
the closed chamber.
These closed chambers where steam is used retain it and a greater heat can be
obtained with less steam and the operations can be performed more effectively and
in shorter time and with less labour than by the ordinary means where open vats,
"becks or vessels are employed.
"
The top side of the closed chamber hereinbefore referred to under each head is
or may be made hollow or "jacketted" so as when required to be beated by steam,
to keep it as hot as possible and prevent the condensation of the steam (when used)
within the chair.ber against the inside of the top of the chamber.
Dated this Fourth day of May 1894.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.
Improvements in Dyeing and otherwise Treating Cotton and other
Piece Goods, and in Machinery or Apparatus to be Used for the
Purpose.
We, GEORGE NORRIS MIDWOOD, of Irkdale Print Works, Smedley Old
Read, Collyhurst, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Bleacher, Printer and
Dyer, and CHARLES EDMESTON, of the Firm of A. Edmeston & Sons, of Cannon
Street Works, Salford, Manchester aforesaid, Millwrights and Engineers, 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 :-
Our invention relates to dyeing piece goods with benzo and similar substantive
colors, and to other dyeing; and to dyeing with indigo blue, and also to treating
certain fabrics, in some cases preparatory to dyeing, to effect an operation commonly
termed "scouring and crabbing," and our invention also relates to the combined
machinery or apparatus used for these purposes.
Firstly. Our invention relates to dyeing piece goods, with benzo and other
similar substantive colors, which operation has hitherto been effected in what are
termed open "becks" vessels or jiggers.
By our improved process of dyeing we pass the piece goods either in the " rope'
or "open" form, through a closed vessel or chamber, such goods passing in at one
end of the chamber, under and over a series of rollers within the chamber, and then
out at the other end of the chamber, in one or several continuous lengths. The
dye or liquor is within the closed chamber, and the pressure of steam also within it,
causes the liquor to boil, and acts to force a part of the liquor into a space formed
by a partition at each end of the chamber extending from its top nearly to its
bottom, through which spaces at each end, the cloth passes in going into and out
of the closed chamber, the liquor in these spaces, thus counter-balances the
pressure within the chamber and forms a seal against the escape of steam or liquor
or admission of air.
"
The upper part of the interior of the closed vessel forms a steaming chamber, in
which the goods can be subjected while passing through the chamber to a greater
steam pressure, and thus to more heat than in an open
"beck or vessel, not
enclosed from the atmosphere, and the goods by our process and apparatus, are
frequently saturated and steamed, after being saturated or immersed in the liquor
while passing into the closed chamber.
There are pipes and other means by which the proper dye liquor, water and
steam, are supplied to the closed treating chamber, as required.

page_text: There are or may also be squeezing rollers to act upon the passing piece goods,
both within the interior of the closed chamber, and upon its exterior, by which
surplus liquor is expressed, which liquor when removed from the goods on the
exterior of the closed chamber may be returned thereto or conveyed to any suitable
receptacle as may be desired.
Secondly. By a modification of the closed chamber above described, under the
first head of our invention, operations are and may be effected, similar to those
carried out by the ordinary "wince beck" but much more effectively, by applying
one or more winces, and causing the cloth to pass from the wince at one end of the
closed chamber, pass through it where it is subjected to the required treating liquor
within the chamber, and then pass out at the other end of the closed vessel or
chamber to the wince or winces, until sufficiently treated when the cloths are
delivered into a batch and a fresh lot of cloth is passed over the wince or winces,
and into the closed chamber to be treated in like manner.
Thirdly. Our invention consists in dyeing by a process similar to that effected
by what is known as the common "jigger" which we also carry out by a
modification of the closed chamber, herein before referred to under the first head of
our invention.
-
By our improved jigger process, we operate in the open form upon the piece
goods which as in the common jigger are wound upon one roller, and then unwound
from it, and wound on to another roller, and so on, backwards and forwards as often
as desired from one roller to the other, but in going from one roller the cloth
passes into one end of the closed chamber under and over rollers in it, and out at
the other end of the closed chamber on to the other roller, and is acted upon by the
Jiquor and steam within the closed chamber, and after the cloth has been moved to
and fro from one roller to the other passing through the closed chamber as often
as required, it goes on to a batch roller, and another length of cloth is substituted
to be treated in like manner.
Fourthly. Italian cloths and similar fabrics are finished and prepared for dyeing
by a process termed "scouring and crabbing."
This part of our invention consists in effecting the object of the scouring and
crabbing process, in a better and more effective manner, and in inuch less time by a
modification of the closed chamber herein before referred to.
Our improved scouring and crabbing process is carried out by an arrangement
similar to that for the jigger process described under the third head of our invention,
except that a roller is added to each of the two rollers upon which the cloth is
wound in the open form to put pressure upon the cloth as it is being wound upon
and unwound from the rollers-the cloth in going from one pair of rollers to the
other passing into the closed chamber at one end and out at the other, being
subjected to the required liquor within the closed chamber and also to the steami
therein.
Fifthly. Our invention relates to improved means for dyeing with indigo blue,
and for this improved process, we employ a modification of the closed chamber,
hereinbefore referred to or a modification of the ordinary indigo vat and
apparatus for dyeing piece goods with indigo blue.
We
The principal object of this part of our invention is to prevent the dye liquor
which is open to the atmosphere in an ordinary indigo dye vat from becoming
oxidized, and we arrange so that the dye liquor is in a closed chamber or vat.
prefer to add to the dye vat an inverted vessel which has sides all round, and will
fit into the inside of the vat for the dye liquor, but will leave a space on opposite
sides, which is filled with liquor that acts as a seal against the entrance of
atmospheric air, these two spaces allowing the cloth to pass into the vat or closed
chamber, under and over a series of rollers and then out at the other space to the
folding or other mechanism.
The inverted vessel is or may be attached to the frame carrying the rollers, or
may be separate from such frame and the inverted vessel is arranged so as to be

page_text: readily lifted from and lowered again into the vat and held down when in the
working position the frame for the rollers and inverted vessel being lifted at the
same time when the two are attached together.
The air is forced out of, or withdrawn from the inverted vessel when it is
lowered into the vat.
The closed chamber referred to under heads cne to four inclusive, may be made
by one vessel which may be termed the lower vessel with its open end upwards, and
an upper inverted vessel with its open end downwards and fitting within and
capable of being lowered into and raised from the lower vessel.
Two opposite sides of the inverted vessel may rest upon the bottom of the lower
vessel and the other two sides may extend to within a short distance from the
bottom of the lower vessel and it is on these two sides that there is a space left
between the lower and inverted vessels for the cloth to pass into and out of the
closed chamber.
These closed chambers where steam is used retain it and a greater heat can be
obtained with less steam, and the operations can be performed more effectively and
in shorter time and with less labour than by the ordinary means where open vats,
becks" or vessels are employed.
66
The top side of the closed chamber hereinbefore referred to under each head is
or may be made hollow or "jacketted" so as when required to be heated by steam,
to keep it as hot as possible and prevent the condensation of the steam (when used)
within the chamber against the inside of the top of the chamber.
Fig. 1, is a side elevation partly in section of a machine arrangement and
apparatus for carrying out the first part of our invention.
Fig. 2, is a side sectional elevation of a machine or apparatus for carrying out
the second part of our invention.
Fig. 24, is a cross sectional elevation on the line A-B Fig. 2.
Fig. 3, is a side elevation partly in section illustrating a machine or apparatus
for carrying out the third and fourth parts of our invention.
Fig. 4, is a side elevation, partly in section illustrating a machine or apparatus
for carrying out the fifth part of our invention.
Our improved process of dyeing piece goods especially applicable for dyeing
with benzo and similar substantive colors, has already being explained, but will be
more clearly understood from the description of the machine or apparatus and
arrangement by which it is effected, as illustrated by Fig. 1, of the drawings.
u, is or may be a rectangular chamber which is supposed to be made of cast iron,
but may be made of any other suitable metal. It has two sides, two ends and a
top and bottom, the top a', and bottom a², are made hollow by preference, to be
heated by steam.
At some distance from each end, there is a partition a³, which extends to each
side and from the top to within a short distance from the bottom of the inside of
the chamber a.
On one side of the chamber a, there is a man-hole to give admission to the
interior of the chamber, this man-hole being closed by a door a, hinged at a³, to
the side of the chamber and then secured fluid tight thereto by two cross bars a³,
and bolts.
At the upper and lower parts of the interior of the chamber a, there are bearings
for the pivots of a series of rollers, (the upper rollers b, and the lower rollers &¹)
extending from side to side of the chamber, these rollers being free to rotate by
the cloth passing over them, and in about the middle of the chamber a, there is a
roller ba, of larger diameter than the other rollers b, or b¹, and the pivot of this
roller on one side (or on both sides) in a cover plate a', which is secured to the
outside of the chamber a, fluid tight by bolts, this cover plate a', closing the hole
through which the roller 62, is inserted into the chamber the shaft of this roller at
the opposite end passing through a fluid tight stuffing box.
On the projecting end of the shaft of the roller 62, a pulley or wheel 68, (shown
in dotted line) is secured for a driving chain belt.

page_text: At the entrance and exit ends of the chamber a, for cloth, there are "scrimping
barse, which are carried on an axis at each end upon which they can be swivelled,
and the cloth, when in the "open" form goes under the upper one of these bars
and over the lower one, and in leaving at the other end, the cloth goes over the
Jower and under the upper bar.
There is a steam pipe d, with coils to and fro from side to side at the bottom of
the inside of the chamber for heating and keeping the liquid hot within the
chamber a.
The hollow top a', of the chamber, is heated by steam conveyed by a pipe d',
which communicates with a safety valve d', and a branch, from the pipe d₁,
supplies steam to the interior of the chamber a. The main steam supply pipe d²,
supplies steam to the hollow bottom a², of the chamber, and to the heating coil d.
within the chamber, the steam to which can be turned on and off by a cock
at №³.
The liquid within the chamber a, is deep enough to more than submerge the
lower row of rollers 6', and this liquid fills the space at each end of the chamber
between the partition a³, and the inner end of the chamber a, and this liquid thus
counter-balances the pressure of the steam within the chamber a, and acts as a
seal against the escape of steam from and the admission of atmospheric air to the
chamber a.
There are side stands or brackets e, at the entrance end of the chamber a, which
carry guide bars over and under which, the cloth e, to be operated upon passes,
which cloth comes from a batch over a roller e, having its bearings on the side
frame then over and under cross rails or bars e', to the scrimping bars c, then under
two first rollers, near the bottom of the chamber a, then up to and over the first
of the upper rollers b, and then down and under the third lower roller b', from the
entrance and so on, passing over the roller of large diameter 62, before mentioned,
and passes out of the chamber at the opposite end to the entrance under the last
two lower rollers 61, then ascends to the two bars c, and from them passes to one
side of a lower roller f, and between it and a roller f¹, above which squeezes
out the superfluous liquid, then passes to a ribbed roller 2, then between two
rollers f³, carried upon an oscillating frame f, which may fold the cloth in a
waggon p, underneath.
It will be seen that the cloth in its progress through the machine after it arrives
in the interior of the chamber is alternately submerged in the liquid and subjected
to the steam within the interior of the chamber a, above the liquid at its lower
part.
The lower and upper squeezing rollers and f', are in bearings in a stand or
frame g, one on each side of the chamber and the upper squeezing roller f', is
arranged to rise and fall and is pressed against the lower roller by a weighted
lever, at each side, that has its fulcrum on the framing and acts upon the sliding
bearing for the upper roller f'.
When treating velvets and like fabrics where pressure upon the cloth is
objectionable, the weight of the upper roller f¹, is counter-balanced or partly so,
by springs or separate weight levers, or by extending the arm of the levers, on
both sides of their fulcrums and connecting them with the vertically sliding bearings
in which the pivots of the upper roller f³, revolve, so that by a counter-weight on
such arms acting to lift the bearings the amount of pressure may be adjusted to
suit the cloth.
For such fabrics, two or more of the rollers b, are driven as well as the roller b²,
to assist in drawing the fabric along these rollers acting on the back of the
fabric.
The roller 2, and the oscillating frame f, have their axes in bearings on the
stands g', (one on each side) from the stands g, for the squeezing rollers f,
and f¹.
On the same stands g', there are bearings for a shaft fo, having a crank at both
ends, the pins of which are each connected by a rod f', with an arm extending

page_text: upwards from the oscillating frame f, which thus give it the oscillations.
required.
On the stands g, for the squeezing rollers, there are bearings for a shaft h, which
is driven by a belt from the inotor employed.
By
There is a pulley or chain wheel on this shaft that drives by a chain belt /', a
chain pulley 3, on the outer end of the large roller, within the chamber a.
gearing from this shaft h, the lower squeezing roller is rotated, and this shaft h, by
a jointed endless chain 2, and wheels suited thereto, drives the roller f2, and by a
similar chain 3, and wheels, the shaft, is driven from the shaft of the roller 2,
and by a chain *, one of the rollers f³, on the oscillating frame f, which roller by
a spur wheel on its axis drives another spur wheel on the axis of the other
roller f³.
There is a pipe i, connected with the bottom of the chamber a, which is connected
with a two way cock i¹, so that when this cock is shut there is no outlet from the
chamber a, but when open in one position, the liquid may pass from the chamber a,
as waste liquid, to a drain, and when in another position the liquid from the
chamber may pass by a pipe, from the cock to a cistern j, below the level of the
bottom of the chamber a.
There are or may be two other vats or cisterns k and 1, for dyes or liquids of
different strengths, one of these (1), is by preference at an elevation above the
chamber a, so that the liquid from this upper vat or cistern may pass by gravity to
the chamber a.
In each vat or cistern and 1, there is a folded coil of pipes (k' and ') at the
bottom, which may be supplied with steam by pipes 2 and 12, and cocks ³
and 13.
, is a pipe for drawing liquid from the cistern k.
, is a pipe with a cock for supplying water to the vat or cistern k,
1, water pipe for cistern k.
m, is a steam jet elevator; m³, is the branch for steam to it, its outlet pipe m²,
passes to the upper vat or cistern l.
m³, is a three way cock communicating with the steam jet elevator m, and having
two branches and pipes, one m, to the low level vat or cistern j, and the other m³,
to the vat k, on the next higher level.
By this steam jet elevator, liquid can be drawn from the lowest vat j, and passed
to the next higher (k), or to the highest vat or cistern (I), or from the middle
vat k, to the highest l
The treating or dyeing chamber a, is supplied with liquid from the upper vat 1,
by a pipe n, having its outlet at the entering end of the chamber a.
It is necessary in carrying out the process of dyeing according to our invention
that the chamber a, shall be kept supplied with liquid of the required strength, as
the cloth being treated takes away with it more or less of the dye liquor,
consequently the liquid has to be constantly renewed, and the quantity regulated
according to the speed at which the cloth passes through the chamber a, and the
quantity of liquid absorbed.
The judgment of the operator is required to effect this object but to make the
operation more easy and uniform, we prefer to employ a vessel or measure n', of
known capacity and not too deep each inch of depth of which may contain a known
quantity of liquid.
This measuring vessel n', is filled from the supply vat or cistern by the pipe n,
and cock n², which is closed when the vessel n', is full.
Below the vessel n', a part n³, is secured fluid tight in which there are a series of
cone plug cocks n, fitted, one cock having a small bore, and each of the other
cocks larger bores.
When any one or more of the cocks, are open liquid can pass from the
measure n', to a passage below the cocks, this passage being connected by the
pipe n, with the treating or dyeing chamber a.
By this arrangement, by opening one or the other, or two or more of the

page_text: :
cocks n the operator or attendant can supply the liquid at a uniform rate and
vary it as required.
"
The machine has been described as when treating cloth in the "open" form, but
it is and may be used for treating cloth in the "rope form, several ropes of cloth
being treated at the same time; in this case, rails are used at the entrance and
exit end of the treating chamber, having pegs in it to keep the "ropes” apart and
separate from each other.
When a batch of cloth is finished, a tape or tapes is secured to the end, and
these tapes are left in the machine ready to draw in the next hatch to be treated,
or one new batch is drawn through the machine by the tail end of the preceding
batch.
Fig. 2, and Fig. 2, illustrate a machine or apparatus for carrying out the
second part of our invention, by which piece goods are treated in the " rope
form.
"
a, is a chamber which may be made of wrought iron or steel plate or other
suitable metal. It is comparatively long and narrow, flat on the two sides, two
ends and the top, and semi-circular at the bottom.
It may be supported on fast (not shown) attached to the lower part of the
exterior of the chamber or in any other convenient manner, so that the chamber a,
is kept vertical.
It has a hollow bottom a², and top a', which are heated by steam by pipes
connected with the main steam pipe (not shown) and steam is or may be supplied
to the interior of the chamber a, through a junction at one side upon which there is
a safety valve d', and there is or may be a cock k³, for supplying liquid to the
chamber and also pipes and cocks (not shown) for drawing off liquid from the
chamber..
On each side of the chamber, there may be one, two or more openings closed by
doors a, hinged at a³, which are made fluid tight when closed by screw nnt handles,
or other means.
At the lower and upper part of the chamber, there are holes at each end to
allow in each case a roller to be passed through into the chamber a.
These holes for the rollers are closed on the exterior of the chamber by cover
plates a', made fluid tight and secured by bolts.
These cover plates a', have bearings for the pivots of the lower roller ¹, which
is free to rotate.
The cover plates a', for the upper roller b, have bearings for the shaft or axis be,
of the roller i, which shaft extends at each end through the hole for the bearing
for the shaft which holes are formed into stuffing boxes, so as to prevent the escape
of fluid past the shaft ba.
Upon the shaft 6, from the upper roller at one end, fast and loose pulleys 63, are
secured for the driving belt from the motor employed.
At the other end of the shaft ", there is a spur wheel bb, that drives another
spur wheel, through an intermediate wheel 6, on a stud from the framing upon a
shaft h, above the chamber, in suitable bearings in brackets from the framing.
This upper shaft h, is coupled with a shaft having a roller f, upon it, having its
two bearings upon two end stands g, which carry the axis g, of a lever frame g²,
having bearings in it for a roller 1, above the roller f.
There is an arm g³, from the lever frame to which one end of a helical spring 9,
is attached, the other end being secured to a bracket 9, from the stands g.
By this means the upper roller, is pressed towards the lower roller f, the
rope of cloth coming from the chamber a, passing between the two rollers, which
thus act to squeeze the cloth passing between them and draw it along, and deliver
it to another ribbed or other roller 12, which causes it to pass to a heap or into a
box or waggon.
The rope of cloth passes into the chamber a, down a pipe a³, at one end and out
of the chamber up a pipe aº, at the other end of the chamber.
Both inlet and outlet pipes are each secured fluid tight to the upper part of the

page_text: chamber aby and their lower open ends extend nearly to the top of the lower roller b',
one on one the other on the other side of that roller.
The upper outer end of the exit pipe a³, is connected fluid tight with a tray
or dish a, in which the stands g, for the squeezing rollers and f¹, are secured,
and this dish receives the liquor squeezed from the cloth and it returns to the
chamber down the exit pipe a³.
The chamber is filled with liquid to about the level of the line y, and this more
than submerges the lower roller b', and the upper part of the chamber a, above the
level is filled with steam.
Y,
The pressure of this steam drives a part of the liquor in the chamber a, up the
pipes a and a³, and this liquor forms the seal against the escape of steam and
admission of air.
Extending the lengthway of the chamber, there is a rail e', one end of which
is secured to the one end, and the other to the other end of the chamber a.
This rail e', has any desired number of pegs e³, secured in it to guide the cloth as
hereinafter explained.
"
The cloth in the "rope form may pass over suitable carrier pulleys (not
shown) through a guide eye ab, opposite and over the entrance tube a³, or this tube
may extend upwards a little above the top of the exterior of the chamber and be
of bell-mouthed shape.
a,
The "rope" of cloth x, passes down the tube a³, under the lower roller b', then
up to and over the upper roller b, then down and under the lower roller 6', and so
on as often as desired, and finally leaves the under side of the lower roller b¹, and
ascends the exit tube a³, passes over the lower squeezing roller f, and between it
and the upper roller, and over that roller to the ribbed heaping roller f2.
The direction in which the "rope" of cloth passes is shown in dotted lines æ, in
Fig. 24, the direction being pointed by arrows thereon.
Those sides of the rope of cloth ascending from the lower roller b', to the upper
roller b, pass between the pegs e³, in the bar e', which thus guides each lap on to the
upper roller b, and keeps the laps apart.
The ropes of cloth to be treated are secured end to end, but when the cloth
is finished, the end passing into the machine has or may have a tape, cord or
rope attached to it, which will be wound in laps round the rollers 6', and b, and pass
out at the exit pipe b³.
By this means the next batch of cloth may be drawn in without trouble.
It will be seen that the cloth in the " rope "form will be frequently and alter-
nately submerged in the liquid and acted upon by the steam while passing through
the chamber a.
If required the rope coming from the exit end of the machine may be taken
over suitable guide pulleys to the inlet, so as to pass through the machine in endless
form as often as desired, and when sufficiently treated the ends may be separated
and the batch delivered and another batch drawn in.
Our improved process under the third head of our invention has been described,
but will be more clearly understood from the description of Fig. 3, of the drawings,
which will also be referred to in describing the fourth part of our invention.
a, is a treating chamber with a space formed by a partition a³, at each end which
partition extends between the sides of the chamber and from the top to nearly its
bottom inside.
There is a man-hole on one side closed by a door a, hinged at as, to the side,
the door being secured fluid tight to the side of the exterior of the chamber by
bolts.
There are bearings in the inside of the chamber for the pivots of upper rollers i,
and lower rollers ', extending across the chamber, which rollers are free to
rotate.
There are also bearings inside the chamber for one end of rollers, or hollow or
other bars, extending across the chamber a, such rollers or bars being passed
R

page_text: through holes in one side of the chamber a, which holes when the rollers or bars.
are inserted are closed fluid tight by covers a, bolted to the exterior side of the
chamber, these cover plates a", forming the bearings or supports for the pivots of the
rollers or for the bars at the cover plate end.
The parts b, are or may be hollow bars against which the cloth, passes in
entering and leaving the chamber a.
c, are double "scrimping rails" for spreading the passing cloth from the middle to
the two sides.
chamber
These double scrimping rails can be partly rotated from the exterior of the
and secured so that one surface will act when the cloth is passing one
way and the other surface when passing the reverse way.
a,
The top a', and bottom a², parts, of the chamber are made hollow so as to be
heated by steam, and these hollows are connected by a steam supply pipe, which
pipe is also connected with a safety valve d', to allow steam to escape above a given
pressure.
At each end and side of the machine there is a stand g, to carry the bearings of
a bowl or roller 7.
One end of the shaft for each roller q, has a bevel wheel q, secured to it, which
gears with a bevel wheel 92, loose on a horizontal shaft 93, in suitable bearings but
the boss part of which bevel wheel forms one side of a friction clutch, the other
part of the clutch being free to slide endways on the shaft q, on a fixed key which
causes it to rotate with the shaft q³. The boss of this part of the clutch has a
groove in it for a clutch fork lever, having its fulcrum 78, on a bracket secured
to the chamber a.
The bowls or rollers on each side are arranged and geared in like manner and
the two clutch fork levers q, are connected at their lower ends by a rod or bar 9º,
which has a pin or stud in its centre to fit a vertical slot in the short arm of a
three armed lever g', (one horizontal arm supposed broken away) having its fulcrum
on a bracket at 9.
The long horizontal arm of the lever q', forms the handle (at one side, and there
is a corresponding handle on the other side) by which the clutch levers q, are
simultaneously moved, to bring one clutch into, and the other out of gear.
The horizontal shaft 3, has a pulley 22, upon it for the driving belt from the
motor employed.
The end of the batch of cloth to be treated is passed over one roller q, then on
one side of the hollow bar b', then over the scrimping rail c, then under the two lower
rollers b', then from the second lower roller b', over the first upper roller b, down
to and under the third lower roller 1, then up to and over the second upper
roller b, and then down to and under the two lower rollers 61, and from that
nearest the end to the scrimping rail c, past the hollow rail 6, its end being then
secured to the surface of the other roller q, upon which it is wound until all the
cloth has unwound from the first roller to which it is secured.
Then the machine is reversed and the scrimping rails c, also, and the cloth is
unwound from the roller upon which it has been wound to the other roller 9, the
roller from which the cloth is unwound being left free to rotate by the drag of the
cloth.
When all the cloth has been unwound off the roller q, the machine and scrimping
rails c, are again reversed and so on the cloth being unwound and wound backwards
and forwards until the desired effect has been produced.
Then when the cloth has been unwound from one roller
g. (when the operation is
finished) instead of being wound upon that roller q, again, its end is attached to a
batching roller, the pivots of which rest upon arms q, from the stand g, (one on
each side) and the surface of the batching roller coming against and being rotated
by the surface of the roller g, and then the machine is started again and the cloth
unwinding from the other roller g, passes over the other roller g, and on to the
batching roller.

page_text: Before the end of the cloth leaves the roller g, from which it is unwound, the end
of another batch of cloth is secured to it to draw it through the machine, or a tape
or tapes are attached to be drawn through the machine and left in it ready to draw
in the next batch of cloth to be treated.
The dye or other liquid in the chamber a, submerges the lowest rollers 6', and
ascends into the space formed between the partitions a³, and the end of the chamber,
and seals the interior chamber against the admission of air or the escape of
steam which fills the upper part of the interior of the chamber a, within the
partitions a³.
A modification of the machine described for carrying out the third part of our
invention is used for carrying out the fourth part of our invention, namely, the
addition of a roller r, above each roller q, the pivots of the added rollers, are in
bearings which can slide on guides on the stands 9, and each bearing is connected
with the lower end of a toothed rack ', sliding vertically in suitable guides on the
stand y.
Each toothed rack, gears with a toothed pinion, shown by a dotted circle
secured on a horizontal shaft, extending across the machine upon the end of which
shaft, there is a hand wheel 4, for rotating the shaft ³, and lifting and adjusting
the added roller r.
On a pulley, secured at one end of each shaft ³, a brake clip », is secured
which gives friction to resist the rotation of the shaft 3, and thus resist the
rise of the roller r, as the cloth is wound upon the roller 9, below and thus
gives the required pressure upon the cloth while being wound upon the lower
roller 7.
"", held
The rollers r, can be lifted by rotating the hand wheel, and the roller
up above and clear of the lower roller, by a pawl 7, taking into teeth on a ratchet
wheel, (represented by a circle) on the shaft 3, or on one side of the brake
pulley.
The machine thus arranged is used to effect the process of "scouring and
crabbing" according to the fourth part of our invention, by winding the cloth
from roller y, to roller g, backwards and forwards, subject to the pressure of the
upper roller r.
When the cloth is being withdrawn from one roller q, that roller is left free to
rotate, the pressing roller ", being lifted from it.
When "scouring and crabbing" the cloth in passing through the chamber
operated upon by the required liquor and the steam within the chamber a.
α, is
When this machine is used to effect the process described under the third head of
our invention, one of the added rollers r, may be used to press upon the cloth as
it is passing over one of the rollers g, on the batching roller to squeeze the surplus
liquid from it.
If desired there may be toothed segments from the lever g', or other connections
to gear with pinions on the axes of each double serimping rail e, so that they will
be reversed each time the lever ', is reversed and be in accordance with the
direction in which the cloth is made to pass at each reversal of the direction of the
cloth.
In the machines illustrated by Figs. 2, 24 and 3, there are pipes for bringing
steam to the chamber a, and to the hollow tops and bottoms, and pipes for
supplying the required liquor to the chamber a, and for drawing off or emptying
the same when required.
The fifth part of our invention will be further explained by reference to Fig. 4,
of the drawings.
In this figure two vats are shown, one by a section, the other by an outside end
elevation.
Two vats are shown because one vat is not used continually as one vat is in
use, while the liquid in the other is reviving after being stirred.
a, the vats, and when in use there is a frame s, carrying the pivots of a series of
rollers and t', over and under which the cloth a, to be treated passes, while

page_text: immersed in the liquid in the vat a.
ordinary use for dyeing indigo.
This vat a, frame S, and rollers t and t¹, are in
According to our invention we secure the roller frames, within a box u, having
four sides and a top with its open end downwards in the vat. This box u, fits close
or nearly so to each end of the vat a, and has or may have a flange u, at such
ends to rest upon the upper edge of the vat and may be secured thereto if
required.
The other two opposite sides of the box w, do not come close to the sides of the
vat, but leave a space between its outsides and the inside of the vat on each side
for the cloth, being treated to enter and pass under and over the rollers t¹ and t
having their pivots in the frame s, and then pass out at the corresponding space on
the opposite side.
As shown in Fig. 4, the cloth x, to be treated is brought in a plaited "batch" on
a board v, resting upon the edge of the vat, the cloth, then passes over a roller w,
having its pivots in brackets on end stands ¹, and then passes to a roller w³,
having its pivots on brackets in the side of the vat, then passes into the space
between the inverted box u, and the vat a, to the lowest roller t', on the frame »,
within the vat and then up and down to the upper and lower rollers t and t', and
lastly from the lower roller t', out up the space to squeezing rollers w³ and w¹-then
over a roller w³, having its axis in bearings in brackets from the stand w¹,
past a revolving arm or board w, on a shaft w', having its bearings in arms
from the stand and is folded on a board v, on the top of the other vat a.
There is a pulley w, for the driving belt on one end of the axis of the lower
roller w³, having its bearings in the stand w¹, and the upper squeezing roller w, is
in bearings that can slide in the stands and this roller w', rests and works against
the lower roller w³.
The other end of the lower roller w³, has a pulley upon it for a belt w³, which
works upon a pulley on the upper roller w³, and a belt or chain wa, working on a
pulley on the end of that roller also works upon one on the shaft w, for the rotary
plaiting arm or arms carrying a board w.
When the other vat (that on the right) is being used, the cloth to be treated is or
may be on the board v, on the rat on the left as shown, but it passes over the
roller, and another roller above the roller 8, (not shown) then to the roller w²,
on the side of the vat on the right and after passing under and over the rollers t
and t¹, submerged in the vat, passes out on the other side over a roller (not shown)
under the lower squeezing roller w³, and then from between the rollers w³ and w*, as
before explained.
The cloth, after leaving the vat may pass directly over the roller w³, and
between it and the roller w, over the latter (from the left side) to the roller w³.
In this case it is only necessary to cross the driving belt from the motor for the
pulley 10³, and the belt w, for driving the roller w, so that as the direction of
rotation of the rollers 03 and 20%, is thus reversed the roller w³, and shaft w7,
still continue to rotate in the same direction as before when driving the pulley w*,
by an open belt.
may
There is a tray under the lower squeezing roller ³, (not shown) to catch
any liquid expressed from the cloth and convey it back to the vat from which
the cloth is drawn.
The arrangements and mechanism above described for drawing the cloth .c,
and folding it on the board v, are ordinary and well known in dyeing indigo.
On the top of the inverted box u, there are one, two or more valves u², opening
outwards from the underside of the top of the box u.
These valves u³, allow air to pass out when the box u, is placed in the vat, so that
the liquor fills it and drives out all the air through the valves.
The box u, and frame s, with its rollers t and t¹, can be readily transferred from
one vat to the other as required.
The valves u², prevent air from entering should the level of the liquid in
the vat sink, as long as it does not descend below the lower edge of the box u.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is.
1. The improved process of dyeing piece goods by subjecting them either in
the "open" or "rope "form to the action of the required dye liquor, and steam
while passing through a chamber from which steam cannot escape and air is
excluded, the piece goods while progressing through the said chamber being
repeatedly immersed in the liquor and exposed to the steam, substantially as
hereinbefore described under the first head of our invention.
2. In dyeing or treating piece goods for dyeing, the use of the machine or
apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 1, of the
drawings.
3. In dyeing or treating piece goods for dyeing, the combination of machinery or
apparatus and arrangements substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
by Fig. 1, of the drawings.
4. The arrangements and apparatus by which the dye liquor is supplied to the
chamber a, at the speed required, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
cr
5. The improved process of dyeing or treating piece goods for dyeing in the
'rope" form, substantially in the manner and by the machine or apparatus
hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 2 and 2 of the drawings.
6. The combination and arrangement of machinery or apparatus substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 2 and 2ª, of the
drawings.
"
7. The improved process of dyeing or treating piece goods in the "open'
form, by passing them from roller to roller through a chamber containing the
required liquor, closed against the escape of steam and the admission of air
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by Fig. 3, of the drawings.
8. The combination and arrangement of machinery or apparatus substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 3, of the
drawings.
9. The improved process of "scouring and crabbing" piece goods by passing
them from roller to roller under pressure from a roller through a chamber
containing the required liquor closed against the escape of steam and the admission
of air, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 3, of the
drawings.
10. The combination and arrangement of machinery or apparatus substantially
as and for the purpose of "scouring and crabbing" hereinbefore described and
illustrated by Fig. 3, of the drawings.
11. The improved means and apparatus for dyeing with indigo substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 4, of the drawings.
12. The combination of the box u, with indigo vats, substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Fig. 4, of the drawings.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of January 1895.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.