Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr., 1897-Accepted, 19th June, 1897
We, DANIEL HARRISON SIMPSON, of One Oak, Cheadle Hulme, in the County
of Chester, Engineer, and JOHN WALKER, of Know Mill House, Entwistle,
Manager, JOSEPH STRANG and FRANK FARNWORTH, Engineers, both of
Prince's Foundry, Ramsbottom, all in the County of Lancaster, 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 :-
The object of our improvements is the construction of a machine for washing
calico printers' blankets which performs its work more effectively and expediently,
which will not wear the blanket and wherein the brushes will last much longer than
heretofore has been the case.
And in order that our invention may be more fully understood we have caused
to be appended hereunto one sheet of drawings marked with letters of reference.
indicating like parts in the various figures,
Figs. 1 & 2 being respectively a cross and a longitudinal section and Fig. 3 a
plan of our improved machine for washing calico printers' blankets.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 are views at an enlarged scale of some details and
Fig. 10 is a cross section of a modification of our improved machine.
In carrying out our improvements and referring to the Figures 1, 2 & 3, a is
the wash box having a liquid outlet inside of which box are adapted to rotate
in close proximity to each other guide rollers c, c', over which the blanket d to be
washed runs being guided into and out of the box a by means of the carrier
rollers e&f respectively. The said guide rollers are all situated on one side,
i.e. at the back of the blanket d, the rollers c being stationary and the rollers c¹
arranged between the same and rendered adjustable against the back of the blanket
by mounting the respective ends in the block bearings g which are simultaneously
adjustable on the ends of the box a so as to cause the rollers c¹ to be set perfectly
parallel with the rollers c and brushes hereinafter described, which is a very
important feature as the working surface of the blanket will be acted upon by the
said brushes uniformly across its whole width. This adjustment is effected by
means of screws h furnished with bevel pinions i gearing into bevel wheels fixed
upon a shaft à mounted in the ends of the wash box a and rotated by means of a
hand wheel from the outside. Opposite, between all or a number of the
stationary and adjustable guide rollers c, c¹, we employ a brush 1, in the present
instance a rotary one, mounted in bearings also secured to the ends of the wash
box a and geared up by spur wheels m, actuated by a wheel m¹ secured upon the
driving shaft n of the washing machine. In connection with each of the said
brushes are employed water jet pipes o which supply the same with the water
necessary for washing the blauket d.
Opposite, between the first carrier and guide rollers e & c is fixed into the wash
box a, a stationary brush p consisting of a series of rubber or the like strips pl
secured to a wood or other suitable back or in lieu of the said strips, the brush
back may be furnished with rows of bristles. Between the ends of the wash box a

page_text: is fixed below the brush p a board or plate g, which forms a trough r having an
outlet s at one end and above the brushp is employed a water jet pipe o¹.
The said brush and jet pipe serve to soften and remove the bulk of the dirt
adhering to the working surface of the blanket as it enters the wash box a and the
said trough to catch and run off the said dirt and thus prevent same falling onto
the adjacent brush and mixing with the liquid in the box a in cases where a
certain quantity is allowed to remain therein and the brushes dip into same. After
leaving the brush p the working surface of the blanket is subjected to the action
of the rotary brushes 1, and water jets o, which thoroughly cleanse it and before
leaving the wash box, the water adhering to the blanket is removed by means of
a brush or other suitable device adapted to rotate in contact therewith, splash
boards t, t, being arranged respectively in connection with the rotary brushes 1
& which receives the water and dirt removed by same respectively.
It will be readily seen from the drawing that the disposition of the rotary
brushes relative to the guide rollers c, c', and the blanket d is such, as will allow
the latter to yield to the pressure of the rotary brushes and that, by adjusting
the rollers el such pressure can be regulated at will in accordance with the amount
of dirt to be removed! therefrom, ie. in the washing of blankets used in heavy
printing more pressure is required than for such used in light printing and the
blanket is thus subject to less wear than heretofore has been the case and rendered
more durable.
The brushp we form in two lengths as shown in Figs. 4-8, which are joined together
and rendered reversible to ensure equal wear. Its rows of bristles or strips are
formed diagonally in left and right hand fashion which has the effect of expanding
the blanket and thus free it from creases or scrimps. The said rows, or strips may
extend across the whole width of the brush as shown in Figs. 4, 5 & 6, or they
may be displaced as shown in Figs. 7 & 8. Instead of the brushes & I having
rows of bristles or rubber or the like strips, such rows may be used in
combination.
P
According to a modification of our invention the brushes / may be of a
stationary type as shown in Fig. 10, which will reduce the cost considerably and
which form of machine is specially applicable for washing blankets used in light
printing. By preference we form the said brushes also in two lengths, as shown
in Fig. 9, with a single or double set of rows of bristles or strips and with
perforations 13 between, through the back, which perforations prevent the brush
becoming clogged with dirt and thus renders it self cleaning.
In lieu of arranging the guide rollers adjustable relative to the blanket they
may be arranged stationary and the brushes rendered adjustable against the
blanket in the same manner as guide rollers c¹.
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-
1st. In a machine for washing calico printers' blankets, a wash box a in which
are mounted guide rollers c, e in combination with brushes arranged opposite,
between the said rollers, the rollers c' being rendered adjustable parallel to the
brushes and rollers c, or vice versa the brushes I parallel to the rollers c, e so as
to bring the brushes / more or less into contact with the working surface of the
blanket, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. In a machine for washing calico printers' blankets, in combination with
guide rollers and brushes between which the blanket runs, a stationary brush p
supplied with liquid and a trough r, s, below the same, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
3rd. In a machine for washing calico printers' blankets, in combination with
guide rollers over which the blanket runs, stationary brushes & p made in two
lengths and having right and left hand fashioned rows of bristles or strips, all
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 4th. In a machine for washing calico printers' blankets, forming the back of the
stationary brushes with perforations 1, all substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Deted this 2nd der of Anril 1807
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicants.