Improvements in Apparatus for Dyeing Skeins.
Year: 1889

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Dyeing Skeins.
A communication from abroad by LA SOCIÉTÉ GRANDSIRE ET FILS, of Bolbec,
Seine Inférieure, France, Dyers.
1 JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be parti-
cularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of an apparatus in which there is a continuous rotary motion
on a vertical axis of the skein carriers whereby the skeins are caused to travel
horizontally through the dye bath and also a vertical movement by means of which
they are withdrawn from the bath.
The apparatus is composed of an annular trough or vessel in the centre of which is
a small vessel or structure serving as a support to a platform which has a central
socket in which turns the cylindrical end of a driving shaft which is either a square
shaft or a screw shaft.
This shaft causes an upper platform to turn on which are fitted arms the number of
which will depend upon the diameter of the apparatus. These arms are provided with
hollow triangles of wood, metal or porcelain, and they are put in motion by pinions
fixed at the end of each arm gearing with a crown wheel on the lower platform
which is itself fixed on the small vessel already described. Or the arms are caused to
travel by friction on the outer edge of the annular vessel by means of rollers fitted
with caoutchouc or other material which will give them sufficient adhesion to cause
the arms to turn and prevent slipping. It is on these arms fitted with their triangles
that the skeins to be dyed are placed.
The driving shaft when square serves for producing the vertical movement by means
of a counterweight adjusted according to the weight of the platform with its arms and
load of skeins ready to be dipped in the bath. The counter weight is fixed to the
upper platform by means of two strong hooks and to the square shaft which serves as
a guide to the counterweight and to the platform by means of a sort of crosshead
having at each end a grooved pulley over which passes a chain, rope or other connector
for connecting the platform and the counterweight.
The driving shaft when a screw shaft serves for raising or lowering the upper
platform with its arms to the necessary height for hanging the skeins thereon or
removing them therefrom. For this purpose the circular movement of the platform
is stopped by means of a releasing apparatus and the upward movement is given
by pulleys. The screw shaft gears with a female thread in the boss or centre of
the upper platform, which is therefore compelled to move upwards as far as the
screw of the shaft extends, or up to the point where a releasing device stops the
apparatus. All the skeins on the arms of the apparatus thus leave the dye bath
together or are immersed therein with the same regularity thereby avoiding the objections
that in some dyeing operations arise from the fact of some of the skeins remaining
longer in contact with the dye than the others. With the square driving shaft the
machine when in work is fixed by means of a pin or key passing through the shaft
so as to steady it and keep the pinions of the arms in normal gearing with the
crown wheel fixed to the lower platform.
The speed to be given to the driving shaft as well as to the pinions on the arms can
be varied. A good result, however, will be obtained if the driving shaft makes one
turn a minute; with this speed the skeins are turned 40 or 50 times more than in
ordinary manual work and are constantly in contact with the dye, which is not 'the
case in apparatus hitherto employed.

page_text: The annexed drawings represent an apparatus constructed according to the present
invention. Figure 1 is a view showing the machine during work; Figure 2 is a
similar view representing the machine before or after work, the skeins being outside
the vessel. Figure 3 is a horizontal section. Figure 4 represents one of the triangles
and other details. A is a shaft and pinion for transmitting the motion to the apparatus:
B is a toothed wheel for working the vertical driving shaft. C is the vertical driving
shaft which is shown square but it may be a screw shaft as already hereinbefore
explained. D is a crosshead carrying the grooved pullies E. F is a chain or rope for
raising or lowering the upper platform or the counterweight. G is the counterweight.
His the upper platform with its hooks, supports for the arms, and protecting rollers
for maintaining the small pinions of the arms in normal gear with the crown wheel.
I is a mortise in the driving shaft to receive the key or pin. J J are arms with
their pinions and carrying the triangles for holding the skeins. K K are bars on
the upper platform H for giving the downward movement to the apparatus.
LL are hooks fixed on the upper platform for the purpose of connecting it to
the counterweight. M is a bearing or footstep in the lower platform for the
driving shaft.
N is the lower platform with its crown wheel for working the
pinions on the arms. O is the annular vessel or trough made of wood, metal,
cement or other suitable material having at its centre a small vessel or a structure
of masonry equal to the diameter of the lower platform N. P is a steam pipe or
coil for heating the dye bath. R is the crown wheel fixed to the lower platform N.
S is the key or pin fitted into the mortise of the driving shaft when the apparatus
is at work. T is the triangle mounted on its arm. U is one of the skeins.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me and in what manner the same is to be performed
I declare that what I claim is :-
An apparatus for dyeing skeins constructed and working substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the annexed drawings.
Dated this 9th day of October 1889
J. C. MEWBURN.