IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND DYEING FABRICS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wraith, Silk and Cotton Dyer, and George Alfred
Downs, Finisher, both of Bradford, in the County of York, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND DYEING FABRICS, AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH.”
Sealed the 21st February 1879, and dated the 3rd September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wraith and George
Alfred Downs at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd
September 1878.
JOHN WRAITH, Silk and Cotton Dyer, and GEORGE ALFRED Downs, Finisher,
both of Bradford, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING AND
DYEING FABRICS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Our Invention relates to employing a preparing and dyeing apparatus, whereby
the fabrics are prepared, dyed, and finished in one operation. The fabrics are passed
in and out of a dyeing cistern, over steam cylinders and rollers, and not as heretofore
placed in a dye cistern, producing more evenly dyed fabrics with a great saving of
labour.
For this purpose we employ an apparatus constructed with side frames secured
by stays or back and front frames. The tops of the side frames are made hollow, in
which passes steam to heat the steam cylinders. On the top plates of these hollow
frames are fitted hollow standards for the admission of steam in the cylinders, and
the escape of the same. Within the framework are fitted several cisterns.
Firstly. A cistern for preparing "souring or chroming." This cistern is fitted
with one or two steam cylinders on the top, and with bottom rollers in the bottom.
The fabrics, after having been steamed, crabbed, and set, are beamed and placed on
side frames, bolted at the back of the apparatus. The fabrics pass over a roller
fitted on the top of the cistern, then under a roller fitted at the bottom of the cistern,
and over the steam cylinder, if only one cylinder is employed or fitted to the cistern.

page_text: The fabrics from the steam cylinder pass under another bottom roller, and over a
top roller fitted on the top end of the cistern.
But the fabrics, after passing under the bottom roller, pass over the second cylinder
and under the bottom roller to the top roller, if two cylinders are fitted to the
cistern.
The fabrics, after passing through the preparing cistern, pass in a second or
washing-off cistern, in which are fitted two sets of squeezers, through which the
fabrics pass, rollers are fitted in the bottom of the washing-off cistern.
The fabrics, after having been washed off, pass over a roller fitted on the end of
the cistern into a dye cistern; the squeezers are fitted with suitable levers and
weights.
On the top of the dyeing or third cistern, which is fitted in the framework, are
fitted steam copper cylinders; four, six, or more copper cylinders are employed, and
under each cylinder, and in the bottom of the cylinders, we fit rollers, which are
made by preference of glass, but we may employ glass rollers throughout the
apparatus.
The fabrics, after passing through the washing-off cistern, pass over the top roller
and under a first roller, and over the front steam cylinder; from there under another
roller in the bottom of the dye cistern, and over the second steam cylinder, and pass
in a similar manner over the copper steam cylinders; and pass from there to another
or fourth cistern, to be washed off, or the fabrics can be passed over rollers fitted in
a frame, which is fixed on the top of the dye cistern. The fabrics, passing over the
top rollers, re-enter the dye cistern, and the fabrics can be loft working in and out
of the dye cistern until the required colour is obtained. The dye material is placed
in the cistern, and kept a sufficient height to obtain a proper mixture, and the
required heat is obtained by means of steam pipes of similar construction to those
now employed.
All the cylinders and squeezers are driven by wheel or friction gear, the cylinders
of the dye cistern having gear so constructed that any required spoed may bo
obtained.
The fabrics, after having been dyed the required colour, pass in the fourth cistern
to be washed off. This cistern is also fitted with two sets of squeezers of similar
construction to the first washing-off cistern, and the squeezers are fitted with levers
and weights.
The fabrics, if all wool goods, pass over an ordinary drying machine fitted on the
end of the apparatus, and are delivered finished by a cuttling machine, but for goods
with cotton warps, the fabrics, after leaving the last washing-off cistern, pass in a
cotton dyeing apparatus of similar construction to those now employed, and then
over a drying machine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Wraith and George Alfred Downs in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st March 1879.
JOHN WRAITH, Silk and Cotton Dyer, and GEORGE ALFRED Downs, Finisher,
both of Bradford, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING And
DYEING FABRICS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
The said Invention relates to employing a preparing and dyeing apparatus, whereby
the fabrics are prepared, dyed, and finished in one operation. The fabrics are passed
in and out of a dyeing cistern over rollers, through squeezers and over steam cylin-
ders, and not as heretofore placed in a dye cistern, by which means more evenly
dyed fabrics are produced with a great saving of labour.
For this purpose we employ an apparatus constructed with side frames secured
by stays and back and front frames. On the side frames are fitted guide brackets
having slides, in which are fitted brasses for the squeezers' shafts, the top brasses
working in the guides, so as to allow of the lifting of the top rollers, according to
the thickness of the fabrics passing through them. These brasses are fitted with
the usual weight gear to give the necessary pressure to the squeezer. To the guide
brackets are fitted hollow frames, into which passes steam to heat the steam cylin-
ders. On the tops of these hollow frames are fitted hollow standards for the
admission of steam into the cylinders, and also for the escape of the same. Within
the framework are fitted several cisterns.
Firstly. A cistern for preparing the fabrics (souring or chroming "). This cistern
is fitted with top and bottom rollers, over which pass the fabrics,
Secondly. A cistern to wash off, which is also fitted with top and bottom
rollers.
Thirdly. The dye cistern, also fitted with top and bottom rollers.
And, Fourthly. A second washing-off cistern, also fitted with top and bottom rollers.
Over the dye cistern and in the standard stuffing boxes are fitted the steam
cylinders, which are by preference made of copper; threo, four, six, or more steam
cylinders are employed, and only one or two steam cylinders can be used for small
dye cisterns. The rollers in the dye cistern are by preference made of glass or
copper, but wood rollers can be used.
The fabrics, after having been steamed, crabbed, and set, are beamed and placed
on side frames, bolted to the back of the apparatus. The fabrics pass in and out of
the preparing cistern over the rollers, and from there through the first set of
squeezers, and over the rollers fitted in the washing-off cistern, washing off the
fabrics, and from this cistern through a second set of squeezers into the dye cistern,
passing over several rollers fitted in the cistern, and then through a third set of
squeezers, and over the first copper steam cylinder, which sets the dye in the fabric.
The fabric from the steam cylinder re-enters the dye cistern, passing in and out of
the rollers, then through another set of squeezers to another steam cylinder, and in
a like manner over rollers, through squeezers, and over steam cylinders, according to
the number of cylinders employed or fitted to the apparatus, the fabrics receiving
further dye setting as they travel through the dye cistern, squeezers, and over the
steam cylinders. The fabrics from the dye cistern pass through a set of squeezers
into a washing-off cistern, passing over the rollers fitted in the cistern, or we may
pass the fabrics over rollers, which can be fitted over the dye cistern, and allow the
fabrics to re-enter the dye cistern, and left working in and out until the required
shade and colour is obtained. The dye material is placed in the cistern, and kept
at a sufficient height to obtain a proper mixture, and the required heat is obtained
by means of steam pipes of similar construction to those now employed.
All the cylinders and squeezers are driven by wheel or friction gear similar in
construction to gear now employed for driving drying machine steam cylinders or
squeezing, and the squeezers are fitted with levers and weights in the usual
manner.

page_text: The fabrics, if all wool goods, pass over an ordinary drying machine, which can be
fitted on the end of the apparatus, or close to the end of the same, and are delivered
finished by a cuttling machine, but for goods with cotton warps, the fabrics, after
leaving the last washing-off cistern, pass into a cotton dyeing apparatus of similar
construction to those now employed, and then over a drying machine.
But in order to enable our improvements to be better understood, we will proceed
to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1
represents a side elevation of our improved dyeing apparatus, and Figure 2 a plan
of the same.
Similar letters of reference are used to represent similar parts.
A, side frames of the apparatus, which are secured by stays and back and front
frames B; on the top of the frames are bolted brackets or guide frames C, which
are constructed with guide openings D, and in which are fitted bottom brasses E,
for the shafts of the bottom rollers F to work in; and also with the brasses G of
the top rollers H, and which, through the gear I and weights J, put the required
pressure on the rollers or squeezers. To the sides of the guide frames are secured
hollow castings K, in which passes the steam to supply the copper steam cylinders L,
which are made by preference rivetted; one side of the hollow castings is for the
escape of the steam. On the top of the hollow castings K are secured hollow
standards M, which are fitted with stuffing boxes N, in which work the short hollow
trunions O of the copper steam cylinders L. The steam passes through the hollow
standards into the cylinders or escapes on the other side through the other hollow
standard into the other hollow castings.
We may employ a cistern with only one cylinder or with two cylinders, but we
prefer making our apparatus with three, four, five, six, or more steam cylinders.
Within the framework are fitted several cisterns, and the framework may be made
in separate frames for each cistern. The first cistern P is for preparing the fabrics,
that is to say, "souring or chroming." The second cistern Q is for washing off the
fabrics after having received the preparing material. The third cistern R is the dye
cistern, and the fourth cistern S is another washing-off cistern. The cisterns are
fitted with bottom rollers T, and the preparing and washing-off cisterns have the
top rollers U fitted in bearers fixed to the hollow frames or castings K; the top
rollers V of the dye cistern are fitted within the cistern. The rollers are made by
preference of glass or copper, but wood rollers may be employed.
The fabrics having been steamed, crabbed, and set, or otherwise, are beamed and
placed on side frames secured to the framework of the preparing cistern. The fabrics
pass into the cistern over the top rollers, and under the bottom rollers, and from the
cistern pass through the first set of squeezers; and from there over and under the
rollers into the cistern, to be washed off, and pass on through the second set of
squeezers; and from there over a roller into the dye cistern, and pass over a set of
rollers receiving the dye matertal; then through a third set of squeezers, and over
the first copper steam cylinder, setting the dye in the fabric. The fabrics from the
steam cylinder re-enter the dye cistern receiving a second dyeing, passing on over
the rollers through another squeezer, and over a second copper steam cylinder, and
in a like manner over the steam cylinders that may be fitted to the apparatus. The
fabrics, after passing over the last roller fitted in the dye cistern, pass through a
squeezer, and from there to the dye washing-off cistern, washing off the dyed
fabrics, which from there pass over an ordinary drying machine, if all wool goods,
or into a cotton dyeing apparatus if the fabrics are of wool and cotton.
The dye material is kept at a sufficient height over the top rollers of the dyo
cistern, and the required heat is obtained by means of copper steam piping of the
ordinary construction.
The steam cylinders are driven by wheel or friction gear of similar construction
to the driving gear of drying machines, and the squeezers are driven by wheel
gear.
We may fit rollers in a frame fitted over the steam cylinders, and bring back the
fabrics to re-enter the cistern in the front, allowing the fabrics to travel in and out

page_text: of the dye cistern, through the squeezers, and over the copper steam cylinders until
the required shade is obtained, and the fabrics perfectly dyed; we may employ an
apparatus for dyeing warps.
Having thus described our improvements, and the best means we are acquainted
with for carrying the same into effect, we would have it understood that we do not
confine ourselves to the precise details shewn and described, as these may be varied
without departing from the peculiar character of the Invention, but what we do
claim is,―
Firstly. The method of dyeing by means of steam cylinders, which are fitted
over dye cisterns, and which sets the dye material in the pieces or fabrics, substan-
tially as and for the purpose herein-before described, and represented in the
accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The general arrangement, construction, and employment of our improved
apparatus for preparing, washing off, dyeing, and washing off, substantially as herein-
before described, and represented in the Drawing annexed.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Wraith and George Alfred Downs, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-eighth day of February, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
WALTER JAS. TURNER, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
Bradford.
JOHN WRAITH.
(L.S.)
GEORGE ALFRED DOWNS. (L.S.)