IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING OR PREPARING YARNS OR TURRADO
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Green, of Islington, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TREATING OR PREPARING YARNS OR TURRADO"
Sealed the 23rd November 1853, and dated the 30th May 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Green at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 30th May 1853.
1. WILLIAM GREEN, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Engi-
neer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TREATING OR PREPARING YARNS OR THREADS" to be as follows:-
The invention of improvements in preparing yarns or threads consists.
firstly, in coating or covering such threads with dry powdered colors,
such as ultramarine blue, carmine, and others, in addition to the dye
colour usually employed, whereby a greater intensity of color is pro-
duced in certain cases than can be effected by the dying process alone;
to carry into operation this portion of my said Invention I proceed
as follows: the dyed thread to be prepared is first dyed in the usual
way, and is then wound upon a reel. from which it is made to pass

page_text: through the flame of a gas burner, to remove all the loose filaments
projecting from its surface; it is then passed downwards into a trough
containing size, "dressing," paste, japanners gold size, or other suitable
adhesive matter; at the bottom of this trough there are several small
rollers, over and under which the thread is passed, so as to keep it
some time in contact with the size, &c.; the thread then passes out
over the edge of the trough, where it is pressed lightly between a piece
of leather, or other soft substance, so as to remove any superfluous
quantity of the size that might adhere thereto; the thread then
again passes downward into a second trough, containing the dry color
in the state of powder; at the bottom of this trough is a small roller,
under which the thread passes, and is again directed upwards, so that
it emerges from the color trough with the dry powder adhering to its
surface on all sides; the thread is then wound upon a large reel, while
a current of hot air is forced in contact with it in order to dry it as
rapidly as possible; as the thread is unwound from this reel it is
brought in contact with a revolving brush, so as to remove any particles
of the powder that does not adhere firmly to the thread, which in this
state may be used alone or in combination with other threads in the
production of woven fabrics, or for other purposes; it will be obvious
that this mode of coloring threads or yarns may be employed alone,
and the dying process dispensed with; but it will be found that the
use of dyed threads approaching as near as possible to the color of the
dry powder will produce a much superior effect.
Secondly, my Invention consists in treating or preparing threads in
the manner herein firstly described, with the exception of the use of
dry colors, and in lieu of which I use metallic powder, commonly
known as bronze powder, whereby I obtain a coating of metal on the
threads or yarns without impairing the elasticity thereof; it will also
be found in this case preferable to use dyed threads of such color as
will best "match" the various colors of the bronze powders, because the
coating of bronze, if not perfect at every part, will be less noticed than
it would be if the color of the thread was different; it is also of
importance, because the wear of the fabric will be less observed.
Thirdly, my Invention consists in treating or preparing yarns or

page_text: threads, by coating or covering the entire surface thereof by a composi-
tion or pigment, consisting of bronze or other metallic powder, mixed
with isinglass, size, or other adhesive matter, capable of holding the said
powders in suspension, and forming a sort of pigment which may be
applied to the dyed threads after the manner herein firstly described in
reference to the use of dry colors; the said composition being placed
in the trough appropriated to the size or other adhesive matter. and the
dry color trough in this case being dispensed with.
Fourthly, my Invention consists in burnishing or brightening threads
or yarns coated with bronze or other metallic powder by either of the
methods herein-before described to carry into effect this part of my said
Invention I pass the thread, after it is coated and dried, between two
polished surfaces of steel or agate, which are gently pressed against each
other, and at the same time moved backward and forward in a direc-
tion at right angles to that of the thread, which is made at the same
time to move in the direction of its length; the burnishing surfaces
may be used either hot or cold, but the former will generally be found
preferable; or, in lieu of this arrangement, the thread may be made to pass
over and under several bright agate rubbers in its passage from one reel to
another, in an apparatus so arranged as to give a backward and forward
motion to the thread by winding and unwinding from one reel to the
other, until the desired amount of burnish is obtained, or the burnishing
of the metalized thread may be performed in the "winding machine."
Fifthly, my Invention consists in producing figured or ornamented
fabrics by printing yarns (after they are arranged for the loom) with
any design or pattern in gold size, or other suitable adhesive matter, and
applying thereto dry powdered colors, or bronze, or other metallic powders,
so as to produce a figure or pattern thereon, the color of such yarn or
threads being different from the color applied thereto; in some cases
it may be found preferable to coat the threads with leaf or fragments
or pieces of leaf metal in lieu of the fine metallic powder.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Green in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 30th November 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM GREEN, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Green, Her special licence
that I, the said William Green, my exccutors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Green, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING
OR PREPARING YARNS OR THREADS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Green, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Green, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
My said Invention of "Improvements in Treating or Preparing
Yarns or Threads" consists,-
First, in certain modes of applying color so as to produce a
greater depth or intensity thereof than is ordinarily obtained.
Secondly, my Invention consists in producing glossy effects upon

page_text: yarns or threads by covering such yarns or threads over their entire
surface with metallic powder.
Thirdly, my Invention relates to coating yarns or threads with
metallic solutions, pigments, or compositions.
Fourthly, my Invention relates to certain modes of burnishing or
brightening yarns or threads; and,
Lastly, my Invention consists in producing figured or ornamented
fabrics by printing or otherwise imparting a metallic line or pattern, or
a line or pattern in dry powdered colors generally, upon yarns or threads.
First, with respect to my Invention of certain modes of applying
color to yarns or threads so as to produce a greater depth or intensity
thereof than is ordinarily obtained. To carry into effect this part of my
Invention employ dry powdered colors, such as carmine, ultra-
marine bluc, and other powdered colors generally, in addition to the
dye colors usually employed. The mode of operation is as follows:-
The thread to be prepared is first dyed in the usual way, and is then
placed upon a "swift" or reel, from which it is made to pass through
the flame of a gas burner to remove all the loose filaments projecting
from its surface; it is then passed downwards into a trough containing
size, "dressing" paste, japanners gold size, burnt oil, or other adhesive
matter; at the bottom of this trough there are several small rollers,
over and under which the thread is passed so as to keep it some time
in contact with the size or other adhesive matter contained therein.
Or, instead of passing over and under several small rollers, the thread
may be made to pass slowly over a somewhat larger roller working in
a size trough, which roller travels at a greater speed than the yarn,
and by thus exerting a small amount of friction thereon helps to
impregnate the same with the varnish or size. Whichever mode may
be employed, the thread then passes between pads of leather or india-
rubber, or other soft substance, where it is pressed lightly so as to
remove any superfluous quantity of the size that might adhere thereto,
A to and fro traverse motion is given to these parts to prevent the
flattening of the threads while passing between them. The thread
then again passes downwards into a second trough containing the dry
color in the state of powder; at the bottom of this trough is a small

page_text: roller, under which the thread passes, and is again directed upwards,
so that it emerges from the color trough with the dry powder adhering
to its surface on all sides. Or the thread may be made to pass between
two rollers covered with fustian or other soft material, one of which
works in a color box; it is then wound upon a large reel, and in some
cases a current of hot air is forced in contact with it in order to dry
it as rapidly as possible. A tremulous motion is given to the reel as
the
yarn is being wound on to it, or it is brought in contact with a
revolving brush, so as to remove any particles of the powder that does
not adhere firmly to the thread, which in this state, or after being
burnished or embossed, may be used alone or in combination with
other threads in the production of woven fabrics, or for other purposes.
It will be obvious that this mode of coloring threads or yarns may be
employed alone, and the dyeing process dispensed with; but it will be
found that the use of dyed threads approaching as near as possible the
color of the dry powder will produce a much superior effect.
Secondly, with regard to my Invention of preparing yarns or threads
by covering such yarns or threads over their entire surface with metallic
powder, the same is to be effected in the manner herein firstly de-
scribed, with the exception of the use of dry colors, and in lieu of which
I use metallic powder, commonly known as bronze powder, whereby I
obtain a coating of metal on the threads or yarn without impairing the
elasticity thereof. It will also be found in this case preferable to use
dyed threads of such color as will best "match" the various colors of
the bronze powders, because the coating of bronze, if not perfect at
every part, will be less noticed than it would be if the color of the
thread was different; it is also of importance, because the wear of the
fabric will be less observed.
Thirdly, with regard to my Invention of coating yarns or threads
with metallic solutions, pigments, or compositions. This is effected by
mixing metallic powder with isinglass, size, varnish, Canada balsam, or
other adhesive matter capable of holding the said powders in sus-
pension, and forming a sort of pigment which may be applied to the
dyed threads after the manner herein firstly described in reference to
the use of dry colors, the said composition being placed in the trough

page_text: appropriated to the size or other adhesive matter, and the dry color
trough in this case being dispensed with. Should it be found to be de-
sirable to produce a thicker coating of metal upon the yarns or threads
than is effected by the former operations, such yarns or threads may first
be covered with a cheap metallic powder, and afterwards may be placed
in a large vessel containing a suitable solution, and there receive another
coating from a plate of metal, through the agency of electricity, in a
similar manner to that employed, and well understood, for gilding or
plating metallic vessels; the first coating with metallic powder in this
case serving to give to the yarn or thread an affinity for the precipitated
metal.
The mechanical arrangements for carrying into effect that portion of my
Juvention which has been already herein-before described will be better
understood by reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, where
Figure 1, is a front elevation, with a portion cut away in order to shew
the working parts more distinctly. Figure 2, is a plan, and Figure 3,
an end elevation. A, A, is a framework of cast iron firmly bolted
together. B. is a table which may be of iron or wood, and in which a
series of slots are formed for receiving the color and size boxes C.
The rollers D, work in these boxes; those in the size boxes being
coupled together throughout the entire length of the machine, and
driven by a gut from a pulley on the first of the rollers E, which
rollers also serve to drive by friction the small rollers D', in the
powder or color boxes C, which are placed immediately beneath
them. F, F, are pads of india-rubber, leather, or other soft sub-
stance affixed to plates or bars of metal F, to which bars a to
and fro traverse motion is communicated by the cam wheel G, upon
the driving shaft H; these pads, by pressing lightly upon the
threads and rolling them at the same time, tend to make such threads
of a uniform thickness throughout, at the same time that they press
out any superfluity of the burnt oil or size with which they had been
coated. I, I, are reels or flyers, and to which the cotton or other yarn
is wound after being covered with dry color or metallic powder. It is
advisable that the shafts I, on to which the flyers are fitted, shall be of
such a length as will permit of their being readily removed when suf-

page_text: ficiently filled; and in order to facilitate the removal of the yarn from
such flyers they are provided with an hinge joint on one side, so that
by the removal of a pin from the end of one of the connecting bars 12,
in each division the supports on which the said bars rest may be
lowered, and the yarn which had been wound thereon will thereby be
sufficiently slackened to permit of its being taken off without injury.
When taken off the yarn may be hung upon beams or rods to dry,
and the flyers replaced to receive another charge. As the flyers
require to have a rotary and a traverse motion simultaneously in
order that the yarn may be spread in even and uniform layers over
them, the pulley J, by which the rotary motion is communicated to
them from the sinall pulley K, on the driving shaft, is supported on
upright bearings L, and is thus prevented from travelling with the
shaft I, which runs through it for turning the flyers. The shaft 1',
has a feather upon it, and is made to work smoothly through the pulley.
M is a carriage for supporting the flyers I. A traverse motion is com-
municated to this carriage, which works in suitable guides at either
end of the machine by means of the screw N, on to the end of which
two pulleys 0, 0, are fitted. The pulleys 0, 0, are driven by the smaller
pulleys P, P, which are alternately thrown in and out of gear by the
cone clutch Q, by means of the lever R, which lever is struck by a
stud on the flyer shaft I, at given intervals; the lever R, is provided
with a weight S, which, when once over the centre on either side,
keeps the clutch steady until its position is reversed by the action of
the stud: it will thus be seen that by having a straight and a crossed
gut the motion of the carriage and also the flyers will be reversed with
each movement of the clutch. The hanks of yarn to be operated
upon are placed on the recls T, T, the lower series of which are
made to slide upon upright rods U, and are kept stationary, when
desired, by means of thumb screws V. In the accompanying Drawing
I have not shown any arrangement for drying the yarn with hot air.
as herein-before described, neither for singeing the loose filaments
from the yarn, both of those operations being already practised and
well understood; they may, however, be easily added by increasing
the breadth of machine.

page_text: Fourthly, with regard to my Invention of certain modes of bur-
nishing or brightening yarns or threads. To carry into effect this part
of my said Invention I pass the thread after it is coated and dried
between two polished surfaces of steel or agate which are gently
pressed against each other, and at the same time moved backward and
forward in a direction at right angles to that of the thread, which is
made at the same time to move in the direction of its length. The
burnishing surfaces may be used either hot or cold, but the former will
be found to be preferable if size, isinglass, or other similar mucilagi-
nous matter be employed for aflixing the dry powder. Or, in lieu of this
arrangement, the thread may be made to pass over and under several
bright agate or steel rollers in its passage from one reel to another, in
an apparatus so arranged as to give a backward and forward motion
to the thread by winding and unwinding from one reel or roller to
another, until the desired amount of burnish is obtained. The rollers
over and under which the thread passes may in some cases be made
to work in contact with each other, or against paper bowls, and may
also have a dotted, lined, or other suitable pattern engraved upon their
circumference.
Lastly, with regard to my Invention of producing figured or orna-
mental fabrics by printing or otherwise imparting a metallic line or pat-
tern, or a line or pattern in dry powdered colors generally, upon yarns or
threads. To effect this part of my Invention the yarns or threads after
being dyed are to be wound on to reels or on rollers in a similar manner
to that practised when being prepared for the loom. They are then
printed with burnt oil or other adhesive matter to any desired pattern,
and dry powdered colors, bronze, or other metallic powders are then
applied thereto. In some cases the metallic powder may be combined
with Canada balsam or other adhesive matter, and in that state printed
ou to the yarns or threads. Also, in some cases it may be found
preferable to coat the threads with leaf or fragments or pieces of leaf
metal in lieu of the fine metallic powder. The printing or otherwise
imparting the metallic line or pattern to yarns may be performed by
any of the modes now in use for printing yarns.
In order, however, to shew how the process may be put into

page_text: practice, I have represented an arrangement for that purpose in the
annexed Sheet of Drawings, where Figure 4, is a side elevation, with
a part of the framework cut away to shew those portions of the work-
ing parts which more immediately relate to the printing operation.
Figure 5, is a front elevation of the same machine, and Figure 6, a
side elevation of an apparatus into which the yarns may be entered
after being printed. A, is a cast iron framework which is held together
by suitable stretchers. B, is a paper bowl, the axis of which works in
brasses, and which may be raised or lowered by the screws C, C, which
are actuated by the worm wheels D, D, from the small fly wheel E.
Beneath the paper bowl is an engraved cylinder F, to which bronze or
other powder may be applied by the endless band G, which band may
be of fustian or other suitable material, and which works over small
rollers in the color box H. This box is provided with a false bottom
I, which by means of screws may be made to press to any desired
degree upon the endless band as it travels past it. J, is another box
of somewhat similar construction to the former, and in which a series
of rollers K, work in brasses for taking up, distributing, and applying
burnt oil or other adhesive matter to the yarn as it passes through the
machine. The roller marked 1, in this series is covered with vul-
canized india-rubber, leather, or other soft material; that marked 2,
has engraved upon its circumference a fine diagonal waved line or
other suitable pattern; those marked 3, 4, 5, are covered with vul-
canized india-rubber, printers roller composition, or other soft flexible
material; and that marked 6, which is at the bottom of the series,
and which dips into the burnt oil or other adhesive matter con-
tained in the box, is made of plain iron. The small iron rollers L,
work in contact with the india-rubber rollers, and have a traverse
motion communicated to them from the small cam wheels M, Figure 5,
whereby the distribution and equalization of the adhesive matter upon
the furnishing rollers is facilitated. N, N, are weighted levers, by
means of which the roller K', may be raised, when yarn or warp is to
be entered into the machine, and by which also the said roller will be
caused to press upon the rollers beneath it while they are in motion;
the pressure upon the furnishing rollers may be regulated by the set

page_text: as desired. U, is a small fly
The varnish or size box rests
the powder box work in suit-
screws O, placed at the top of the box. P, is an open reed, through
which the warp or yarn is caused to pass in order to keep the threads
at a uniform distance apart. Q, Q, are straining bars for giving a
certain amount of tension to the yarn as it passes through the machine.
R, is an iron rod, on either end of which wedges are fixed, which
wedges when actuated by the pinion and rack S, S', act upon the pins
T, T', and raise or lower the powder box
wheel by which the pinion S, is turned.
upon screws V, V, and both it and also
able guides on the framework. W, is a thin plate of metal placed at
an angle, and down which any loose brouze or color that may not
adhere to the threads will fall, and be received by a small box placed
beneath the powder box H. X, is a fast, and X', a loose pulley, fitted
on to the driving shaft. Y, is a spur wheel fitted on to the hollow man-
dril which carries the engraved copper cylinder F; and Y¹, is a pinion
keyed on to the driving shaft for giving motion to the same. Z, Z, are
spur wheels which are keyed on to the shaft of the paper bowl and the
mandril of the copper roller respectively, in order to prevent their
abrasion on each other by reason of the slippery nature of the metallic
powder employed thercon. Motion is communicated to the series of
rollers K, by a train of wheels a, a, as shewn in the Drawing; see
Figure 4.
The action of the machine is as follows: the yarn b, to be operated
on, when spread upon a roller or warped for being woven, is placed in
slots at one end of the machine, and is entered through the open reed
P; it is then drawn between the rollers K and K, where it is printed
with a line or other pattern in burnt oil or other adhesive matter; it
then passes between the paper bowl and the copper cylinder, whereby
it receives a coating of bronze or other powder, which by reason of the
heat employed in the said copper cylinder and the pressure combined is
firmly fixed on the yarn, and brightened at the same time. If the yarn
thus treated is warped for weaving, it is then wound on to a "box" or
roller at the furthermost end of the machine; but if it is to be used for
weft, or to be done up in hanks, it will in such cases require to be
placed in the apparatus represented in Figure 6, which is made to run

page_text: upon rails placed upon the floor of the factory so as to enable it to be
easily removed from one end to another thereof. This carriage or
apparatus, it will be seen, is provided with a number of thin rollers c,
over and under which the width of yarn, say, for instance, five hundred
threads, may be drawn by hand until it is filled; it is then removed and
its place occupied by another, and so on in succession. The threads
may then be readily withdrawn and wound on to reels, or be done up
in hanks suitable for being packed. In some cases, however, the yarn
may be passed through the machine direct from the reels or "swifts"
on to which it has been wound, and be again wound on to suitably
balanced reels at the opposite end of the machine.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Green, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
WILLIAM GREEN. (L.s.)
FRED HARRIS.
Witness,