IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING WOVEN FABRICS. WITH LIQUIDS
Year: 1879

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES SMITH,
Engineer to Messieurs Walter Crum and Company, of Thornliebank, in the County
of Renfrew, North Britain, send greeting :-
-
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty sixth day of August, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy nine, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said James Smith, Her special license, that I, the said James Smith, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Smith,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should 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 of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND OTHERWISE
TREATING WOVEN FABRICS. WITH LIQUIDS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said James Smith, 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: And whereas I, the said James Smith,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, did declare the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and caused
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office on the Twenty fourth day of
February, One thousand eight hundred and eighty: And whereas since filing the
aforesaid Specification I have been advised that the claims made therein are too
broad, and may be construed as claiming more than what was intended to be
claimed, and more than what I have since the filing of the said Specification
discovered was novel and original at the date of the said Letters Patent, and I
desire to strike out the second claim and otherwise to alter the Specification in
manner herein after set forth.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Smith, by and with the leave of Her
| Majesty's Solicitor General, for the reasons aforesaid, do alter the said Specification

page_text: "
as printed by the Queen's Printers, and published at the Great Seal Patent Office
in One thousand eight hundred and eighty, by striking out the words "one
modification of," which occur at the beginning of line 37 of page 2 of the printed
copy of the said Specification as printed by the Queen's Printers, and published at
the Great Seal Patent Office, by striking out the words "My apparatus may
however be modified and adapted for other series of processes, as, for example,
"for bleaching processes and for dyeing processes," which occur in lines 1, 2, and 3
of page 3 of the said Queen's Printers' copy of the said Specification, by striking
out the words, " In the modification," which occur in line 4 of the said page 3, and
substituting therefor the word "as;" by striking out the words "a modification of"
between the words "representing" and "my," which occur in line 27 of the said
page 3 by striking out the figure "1," which occurs in line 30 of page 4 of the
said Queen's Printers' copy of the said Specification; by striking out the word
"otherwise," which occurs in line 31 of the said page 4; by inserting between the
words "liquids" and "substantially," which occur in said line 31 of the said
page 4, the words "in the series of processes such as are above referred to ;" and
by striking out the whole of the second claiming clause, beginning at line 33, and
ending with line 35 of said page 4, said Queen's Printers' copy of the said
Specification.
a
And in order that the effect of the said Disclaimer and Memorandum of
Alteration may be clearly understood. I annex hereto
copy of the said
Specification as it will appear when altered and amended, the preamble and
testing clause being omitted.
"
My improved apparatus has been specially designed for the series of processes
which, forming part of those employed in calico printing, comprise the "dunging
or treatment with dung substitute (sometimes also termed "chemiking") with the
washing which follows it, and the soaping followed by a second washing.
As adapted for the calico-printing processes hereinbefore referred to, my apparatus
is contained in and in connection with a long tank, which is however much
shorter and generally more convenient than the tanks of apparatus hitherto used
for the same purpose, it being an important feature of my present Invention that
the several operations are rendered so effective as to admit of the apparatus being
made comparatively short and compact. The tank is divided into compartments
by transverse vertical partitions, and there are two rows of transverse rollers or
equivalents, one row being along the top of the tank, and the other row along
underneath at a short distance above the bottom of the tank, and the fabric is led
alternately round an upper and a lower roller, so as to form a series of vertical or
nearly vertical portions, alternately descending and ascending through the liquids
in the several compartments. Steam is admitted into some of the-compartments
by perforated pipes placed across the bottoms, and a number of rotating three
sided or square or other prismatic beaters are arranged between the vertical lines
of the fabric. In the washing compartments strong jets of water are made to play
on the fabric from transverse perforated pipes, the water having a considerable
head or pressure.
In the soaping compartment or compartments the liquor is
drawn from the bottom, and by a pump forced into a series of transverse perforated
pipes, whereby it is made to circulate, and at the same time is projected with
considerable force against the fabric, whereby the operation is rendered very
efficient and expeditious.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory
Drawings to be hereinafter referred to, and representing my improved apparatus as
adapted for dunging or chemiking and soaping printed calicoes. In these Drawings
the same reference letters and numerals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
Figures 1, 2, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, are a plan and a
longitudinal vertical section, the fabric being shewn by a thick black line' in

page_text: Figure 2; Figure 3 on Sheet 2 is a transverse vertical section as taken through
the first soaping compartment; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same compart-
ment; and Figure 5 is an end elevation of the machine.
A simple steam engine is shown as placed in connection with the machine, and
on the crank shaft G of this engine there is a bevil wheel 7, which gears with a
bevil pinion 8 on an upper longitudinal shaft 9 carried along one side of the tank
in brackets, which are not shown in Figure 1. By means of spur wheels 10 the
upper shaft 9 drives a lower longitudinal shaft 11. The tank which is of a long
rectangular form is built up of cast iron plates, and is provided with two rows of
transverse rollers or equivalents round which the fabric is led, as shown in Figure 2,
so as to pass downwards and upwards alternately. Some 12 of the upper rollers
are made with projecting ribs like winces, so as to exert on the fabric at several
points along the tank the force necessary for carrying it through the apparatus,
and these rollers 12 are driven by means of bevil wheels from the upper longi-
tudinal shaft 9. Others 13 of the upper rollers, and which are over partitions, are
also driven from the upper shaft 9, and these rollers 13 have rollers 14 above them
to rest or press on the fabric in order to squeeze out the surplus liquid the fabric
carries up. The other upper rollers 15 and all the lower rollers 16, are undriven
and merely turn with the fabric. The lower longitudinal shaft 11 drives a number
of rotating beaters 17 which are represented as square, but which may be of any
other suitable prismatic form. These beaters 17 are arranged in sets of three
geared together by spur wheels, the middle one of each set being driven by bevil
wheels from the shaft 11, so that the middle one of each set rotates oppositely to
the other two.
In the first compartment A of the tank the liquid supplied contains the dung
substitute or other chemical agent with which the fabric requires to be treated
before being soaped; steam is admitted into this compartment by a perforated
pipe 18 placed across the bottom of it.
In the second compartment B the fabric is washed by the action of strong jets
of water aided by a number of the rotating beaters 17. The water jets issue from
horizontal pipes 19 placed across the upper part of the tank between the vertical
lines of the fabric. The pipes 19 are supplied with water having a considerable
head or pressure, and each pipe has a row of holes formed along the middle of each
side so that the jets issue horizontally.
In the third compartment C the soaping liquor is applied and is heated by
perforated steam pipes 20 at the bottom; a large pipe 21 is led from the bottom of
this compartment C to a pump 22 which is represented as of the centrifugal kind,
and as driven by a belt 23 from the fly wheel of the steam engine. From the
pump the liquor passes by a pipe 24 to a horizontal pipe 25 at one side of the
tank, and thence by branch pipes 26 to horizontal pipes 27 placed across the
upper part of the compartment C. The last named pipes 27 are perforated like
the water pipes 19, and the liquor issuing from them is forcibly projected against
the fabric, its action being assisted by a number of the rotating beaters 17.
From the third compartment C the fabric might proceed at once to a final
washing compartment, I however find it advantageous to interpose a supplementary
soaping compartment D in which the fabric is subjected to fresh soap liquor heated
by a perforated steam pipe 28.
After passing through the fourth compartment D the fabric is led through a
fifth and final compartment E, in which it is washed as in the second
compartment B.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
The arranging or combining together of the parts of apparatus for washing and

page_text: treating woven fabrics with liquids in the series of processes such as are above
referred to, substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Smith, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
I hereby grant my flat, giving leave to the above named James Smith, to file
in the Great Seal Patent Office with the Specification to which the same relates,
the within written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
Dated this 29th day of March, One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Smith, Engineer to Messieurs Walter Crum and
Company, of Thornliebank, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND OTHERWISE
TREATING WOVEN FABRICS WITH LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 24th February 1880, and dated the 26th August 1879.
Sealed the 24th February 1880, and dated the 26th August 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James "Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th August 1879.
JAMES SMITH, Engineer to Messieurs Walter Crum and Company, of Thornlie-
bank, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR WASHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING WOVEN FABRICS WITH LIQUIDS."
This Invention has for its object the arranging, combining, and applying of
apparatus in an improved manner for washing and otherwise treating woven fabrics
with liquids.
«
One modification of the improved apparatus has been specially designed for the
series of processes which forming part of those employed in calico printing comprise
the "dunging," or treatment with dung substitute (sometimes also termed
chemiking," with the washing which follows it and the soaping, followed by a
a second washing. The apparatus may, however, be modified and adapted for
other series of processes, as for example, for bleaching processes and for dyeing
processes.
In the modification adapted for the calico-printing processes herein before referred
to the apparatus is contained in and in connection with a long tank, which is,
however, much shorter and generally more convenient than the tanks of apparatus
hitherto used or proposed to be used for the same purpose, it being an important
feature of the present Invention that the several operations are rendered so effective
as to admit of the apparatus being made comparatively short and compact. The
tank is divided into four compartments by transverse vertical partitions which do
not extend quite to the top of the sides. There are two rows of transverse rollers
or equivalents, one row being along the top of the tank and the other row along
underneath at a short distance above the bottom of the tank, and the fabric is
led alternately round an upper and a lower roller so as to form a series of vertical
or nearly vertical portions alternately descending and ascending through the liquids

page_text: in the several compartments. The rollers at the tops of the partitions are by
preference larger than the others, and have rollers above them to rest or press on
the fabric passing over them to squeeze out the surplus liquid the fabric carries up.
Some of the top rollers are made with longitudinal ribs or in the form of winches,
and are driven by wheel gearing so as to exert on the fabric at several points along
the tank the force necessary for carrying it through the apparatus.
In the first compartment of the tank the liquid contains the dung substitute or
other chemical agent with which the fabric requires to be treated before being
soaped. Steam is admitted into this compartment by a perforated pipe placed
across the bottom of it, and a number of rotating three-sided or other prismatic
beaters are arranged between the vertical lines of the fabric.
In a second compartment the fabric is washed by the action of strong jets of
water aided by a number of rotating prismatic beaters. The water jets issue from
horizontal pipes placed across the upper part of the tank between the vertical
lines of the fabric. The pipes are supplied with water having a considerable head
or pressure, and each pipe has a row of holes formed along the middle of each side
so that the jets issue horizontally.
In the third compartment the soaping liquor is supplied and is heated by per-
forated steam pipes at the bottom. A large pipe is led from the bottom of this
third compartment to a pump by which the liquor is forced into a box communi-
cating with perforated pipes placed across the upper part of the compartment like
the water-jet pipes herein before described, as in the second compartment.
pump causes the liquor to circulate and at the same time to be projected with
considerable force against the fabric whereby the operation is rendered very efficient
and expeditious.
The
The fourth compartment is like the second excepting that it is of greater extent
so as to render the washing operation as complete as possible.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
February 1880.
JAMES SMITH, Engineer to Messieurs Walter Ccrum and Company, of Thornlie-
bank, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR WASHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING WOVEN FABRICS WITH LIQUIDS."
My said Invention has for its object the arranging, combining, and applying of
apparatus in an improved manner for washing and otherwise treating woven fabrics
with liquids.
One modification of my improved apparatus has been specially designed for the
series of processes which forming part of those employed in calico printing comprise
the "
dunging" or treatment with dung substitute (sometimes also termed
chemiking,") with the washing which follows it and the soaping, followed by a

page_text: second washing. My apparatus may, however, be modified and adapted for
other series of processes, as for example, for bleaching processes and for dyeing
processes.
In the modification adapted for the calico-printing processes hereinbefore referred
to my apparatus is contained in, and in connection with a long tank which is,
however, much shorter and generally more convenient than the tanks of apparatus
hitherto used for the same purpose, it being an important feature of my present
Invention that the several operations are rendered so effective as to admit of the
apparatus being made comparatively short and compact. The tank is divided into
compartments by transverse vertical partitions, and there are two rows of transverse
rollers or equivalents, one row being along the top of the tank and the other row
along underneath at a short distance above the bottom of the tank, and the fabric
is led alternately round an upper and a lower roller, so as to form a series of vertical
or nearly vertical portions alternately descending and ascending through the liquids
in the several compartments. Steam is admitted into some of the compartments
by perforated pipes placed across the bottoms, and a number of rotating three-sided
or square, or other prismatic beaters, are arranged between the vertical lines of the
fabric. In the washing compartments strong jets of water are made to play on the
fabric from transverse perforated pipes, the water having a considerable head or
pressure. In the soaping compartment or compartments the liquor is drawn from
the bottom and by a pump forced into a series of transverse perforated pipes
whereby it is made to circulate, and at the same time is projected with considerable
force against the fabric whereby the operation is rendered very efficient and
expeditious.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory Drawings,
to be hereinafter referred to, and representing a modification of my improved
apparatus as adapted for dunging or chemiking and soaping printed calicoes. In
these Drawings the same reference letters and numerals are used to mark the same
or like parts wherever they are repeated.".
Figures 1, 2, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings are a plan and a longi-
tudinal vertical section, the fabric being shown by a thick black line in Figure 2;
Figure 3, on Sheet 2, is a transverse vertical section as taken through the first
soaping compartment; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same compartment; and
Figure 5 is an end clevation of the machine.
A simple steam engine is shown as placed in connection with the machine, and
on the crank shaft 6 of this engine there is a bevil wheel 7 which gears with a
bevil pinion 8 on an upper longitudinal shaft 9, carried along one side of the tank
in brackets which are not shown in Figure 1. By means of spurwheels 10 the
The tank, which is of a long
upper shaft 9 drives a lower longitudinal shaft 11.
rectangular form, is built up of castiron plates, and is provided with two rows of
transverse rollers or equivalents round which the fabric is led, as shown in Figure 2,
so as to pass downwards and upwards alternately. Some 12 of the upper rollers
are made with projecting ribs like winces so as to exert on the fabric at several
points along the tank the force necessary for carrying it through the apparatus,
and these rollers 12 are driven by means of bevil wheels from the upper longitudinal
shaft 9. Others 13 of the upper rollers, and which are over partitions, are also
driven from the upper shaft 9, and these rollers 13 have rollers 14 above them to
rest or press on the fabric in order to squeeze out the surplus liquid the fabric
carries up. The other upper rollers 15 and all the lower rollers 16 are undriven
and merely turn with the fabric. The lower longitudinal shaft 11 drives a number
of rotating beaters 17, which are represented as square, but which may be of any
other suitable prismatic form. These beaters 17 are arranged in sets of three,
geared together by spurwheels, the middle one of each set being driven by bevil
wheels from the shaft 11 so that the middle one of each set rotates oppositely to the
other two.
In the first compartment A of the tank the liquid supplied contains the dung

page_text: substitute or other chemical agent with which the fabric requires to be treated
before being soaped. Steam is admitted into this compartment by a perforated
pipe 18 placed across the bottom of it.
In the second compartment B the fabric is washed by the action of strong jets of
water, aided by a number of the rotating beaters 17. The water jets issue from
horizontal pipes 19 placed across the upper part of the tank between the vertical
lines of the fabric. The pipes 19 are supplied with water having a considerable
head or pressure, and each pipe has a row of holes formed along the middle of each
side so that the jets issue horizontally.
In the third compartment C the soaping liquor is applied and is heated by per-
forated steam pipes 20 at the bottom. A large pipe 21 is led from the bottom of
this compartment C to a pump 22, which is represented as of the centrifugal kind,
and as driven by a belt 23 from the flywheel of the steam engine. From the
pump the liquor passes by a pipe 24 to a horizontal pipe 25 at one side of the
tank, and thence by branch pipes 26 to horizontal pipes 27 placed across the upper
part of the compartment C. The last named pipes 27 are perforated like the water
pipes 19, and the liquor issuing from them is forcibly projected against the fabric,
its action being assisted by a number of the rotating beaters 17.
From the third compartment C the fabric might proceed at once to a final
washing compartment; I, however, find it advantageous to interpose a supplementary
soaping compartment D, in which the fabric is subjected to fresh soap liquor heated
by a perforated steam pipe 28.
After passing through the fourth compartment D the fabric is led through a fifth
and final compartment E, in which it is washed as in the second compartment B.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and original, and
claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part rocited Letters
Patent is,
1. The arranging or combining together of the parts of apparatus for washing
and otherwise treating woven fabrics with liquids, substantially in the improved
manner herein before described.
2. The apparatus for treating woven fabrics with soaping or other liquors wherein
the liquor is made to circulate by a pump, and is projected in jets against the fabric,
the parts being arranged substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Smith, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty first day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JAMES SMITH. (L.S.)