An Improved Process for the Treatment of Textile and other Materials, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for the Treatment of Textile and other
Materials, and Apparatus therefor.
A communication by LA SOCIÉTÉ LEBLOIS PICENI & Co., of Elbeuf St. Aubin,
Seine Inferieure, in the Republic of France.
I. GEORGE CECIL DYMOND, M. Inst. M.E. of The Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool and 6 Bank Street Manchester both in the
County of Lancaster, 118 New Street Birmingham in the County of Warwick
and 31 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improved process of treatment and apparatus for carrying out the same
which form the subject of this invention, have for their object to steep, bleach,
dye and wash in an automatic and complete manner, in more or less considerable
quantities at a time without waste or felting and with the least possible labour, all
kinds of materials, and more particularly textile materials in any condition.
All the methods of automatically treating textile materials hitherto employed,
or at least those generally recognised as the best, are based on the use of the
three following means, viz. :-
Either the action of vacuum obtained in bermetically closed vessels ;
Or the action of rotating or agitating the materials under treatment in bleaching
or dyeing baths;
Or the action of the continuous circulation of the bath liquors through the
materials immovably fixed in a suitable receptacle, such circulation being obtained,
either by means of a rotary pump, an injector, or by pressure.
All apparatuses based on these three methods only yield however insufficient
and imperfect results.
Efforts have therefore been made to find more effective means, and in order to
obtain complete and perfect results, the textile materials are by the present
invention treated in a single apparatus by the combined and united action of the
three methods herein before enumerated, each of which employed above is incapable
of producing similar results.
By the combination and union of these three different methods in the same
apparatus, an extraordinary and hitherto unattained power of penetration is
obtained, enabling perfect results as regards bleaching, dyeing and washing to be
obtained with all kinds of substances in any condition suitably treated by chemical
agents.
The improved apparatus consists of an hermetical digester capable of standing a
vacuum of 65 to 70° of a manometer, i.e., 65 to 70 centimeters of mercury. It is
composed of two parts placed one above the other and strongly bolted together.
A revolving shaft passes internally through its entire length and carries perforated
boxes or vessels. This revolving shaft is supported at one end on a trunnion
arranged in one of the end walls of the apparatus, and at the other end passes
through the other end wall of the apparatus by means of a stuffing box, and is

page_text: connected outside with a driving gear, by means of which a rotary motion is
imparted to it in either direction, either by hand for charging or discharging the
substances, or mechanically for effecting the operations of bleaching, dyeing or
washing.
Suitable openings, doors or wickets of the necessary size for easily handling the
materials, and always closed hermetically by means of indiarubber fittings, are
arranged in the casing of the apparatus, opposite the position which each of the
revolving boxes or cases will assume during its movement of rotation in order to
allow of the material being easily inserted before treatment, and removed on the
completion of the operations. These boxes are movable on slides arranged for this
purpose, so as to admit of being drawn forward and out of the apparatus by
suitable openings, and be replaced in the interior, where they are firmly held by
means of lateral springs placed at each end. Each box may vary in form and in
its perforations, and may have one or more compartments according to the materials
which are to be treated.
Several taps communicating with the pipes of a vacuum pump, steam tubes, and
those of a rotary pump, are arranged in the upper part of the central part of the
digester, which also possesses a vacuum-indicating manometer, a thermometer, a
water-level indicator, and an air tap.
In the lower part of the digester there are taps communicating 1st with the
pipes, supplying liquor from the baths drawn in by the action of vacuum, for
supplying air to the lower part of the apparatus, and also for discharging from the
apparatus the liquors or baths which are to be preserved; 2nd with pipes serving
for discharging the liquor or baths which are to be run away to waste and
3rd with the lower pipes of the rotary pump. This latter being placed on one
side of the apparatus, preferably the side opposite to where the driving gear of the
revolving internal shaft is placed.
A tap connects with a steam pipe which may heat the baths according to
requirements either by being driven directly into the bath or better still by
indirect contact. The apparatus itself as well as its parts and accessories may
vary in dimension and form according to the state, and the quantities, of materials
which it is desired to treat at a time.
It may be remarked that this vacuum apparatus differs completely from all
hitherto employed, by the combination in its interior of a revolving shaft carrying
perforated boxes, and at one of its sides, of a rotary pump which forms one with it,
both being essential and complementary parts, without which it would be absolutely
impossible to obtain the extraordinary and efficacious penetrating power which is
obtained by the special arrangement of this apparatus.
The improved apparatus having now been described, the mode of action is as
follows: :-
In this system of treatment, the only operations necessary to be performed by
hand (which are in any case very inexpensive) are the following:
1st. The charging of the material into the apparatus before treatment, and
2nd. The removal of the said material bleached or dyed after it has received the
last bath.
.
The boxes of the revolving shaft having been charged with the material to be
treated, and the digester hermetically closed, as well as all the taps, the shaft is
set in motion by means of the external gearing, the tap of the vacuum pump is
opened and the operations commence.
In a few minutes a vacuum of 65° to 70° of a manometer, i.e., 65 to 70 centimeters
of mercury is produced in the apparatus, and then are opened the taps of pipes
immersed in an adjacent vat (generally pipes at a low level), in which vat the first
bath is prepared. By means of the vacuum produced in the digester, this bath,
from the moment of opening the taps, is forced energetically into the digester,
and by the combined force of vacuum and the rotation of the material penetrates
and impregnates the latter completely in a very short time; it being necessary to
close the taps immediately, as soon as the bath has passed up into the apparatus.

page_text: This first impregnation performed on an unbleached material, generally takes
place very well by the combination of the two effects of vacuum and the rotation
of the material, without circulation of the liquids, but it may also be done by means
of vacuum, and the action of the continuous circulation of the bath by setting in
action the rotary pump without rotation of the material, and the right is reserved
of claiming either of these two methods of procedure as well as that which will be
described for the succeeding baths and which consists in employing the three
actions at the same time.
When this first result has been obtained, the first bath is discharged, by closing
the vacuum tap and opening the air tap, and the discharging taps on the waste
pipes if the bath is to be run away to waste, or on the vat pipes when the bath is
to be returned to the vat and preserved for other subsequent operations.
When the bath has been discharged, all the taps are closed, that of the vacuum
pump alone being opened, and vacuum is quickly restored in the apparatus. Then
by opening the taps of the vat pipes which have been previously placed in
communication with the pipes of the vat containing such fresh bath as may be
suitable, the latter is drawn into the apparatus and saturates the materials under
treatment. After the drawing up of this new bath, the vat taps are again closed,
and it is then that it has been found, in order to obtain a second perfect and
uniform impregnation of a material already saturated with the liquid of the
preceding bath, to be almost always useful and sometimes indispensable to unite
and combine the action of the three methods herein before mentioned: namely:-
1st. The action of vacuum, which by removing the air contained in the digester,
and in the interior of the material, renders the latter more capable of being
penetrated by the liquid of the fresh bath.
2ud. The action of rotation of the material in this bath, such action largely
increasing the force of penetration and rendering possible a uniform impregnation
in all the parts of the material treated.
3rd. The action of a continuous and forcible circulation of the liquid through
the material, which action does not allow of any deposit of tinctorial matters,
renders the bath absolutely uniform in all its parts, and effectively increases the
united force of vacuum and rotation in order to obtain as a result an extraordinary
total force of penetration.
In order to obtain the entire combination of the three actions hereinbefore
mentioned, it suffices to open or rather leave open the tap of the vacuum pump,
(when the fresh bath has been admitted into the apparatus and the rat taps again
closed) to allow the gearing to impart its rotary motion to the revolving shaft, and
to set in action the rotary pump which energetically draws the bath through pipes
into the lower part of the apparatus, and discharges it not less energetically by
upper pipes. This treatment continues until a perfect result is obtained, and as it
is very energetical it is always relatively rapid and consequently very economical,
and very effective.
Naturally this operation may always be reproduced with the same certain
success, as many times as may be necessary, either with cold or hot baths according
to requirements.
It may also be pointed out that when it is a question of impregnating very
delicate substances like carded or combed cotton, sliver or roving, it is preferable
in order that they may be conveniently handled to string or thread them previously
on a cotton cord by bundles of banks of 1 to 4 kilogrammes. This stringing,
which however is not indispensable, may be effected mechanically by any suitable
means, as for instance the one which we have indicated bereinbefore. Each
bundle is then placed extended at length in one compartment of the boxes or
drawers, whilst for certain kinds of material which are less apt to become felted,
small bundles of hanks may be formed by connecting the two ends.of the cord on
which these hanks are strung, which may be piled up in the larger compartments
of the revolving boxes, and there undergo in a suitable and perfect manner all the
operations of bleaching, dyeing and washing absolutely like cotton in bulk. It is

page_text: in fact the most ordinary manner of proceeding for the larger part of carded sliver.
On the contrary when it is a question of cops, bobbins or spools, it is necessary
that these latter should be arranged carefully in the smallest compartments, and
held firmly pressed, so that the liquor of the baths may pass through them and
penetrate them completely without displacing or deforming them.
Finally when it is a question of obtaining shades which require oxidation by the
air, as for instance white and indigo blue, a strong current of air is set up in the
digester as soon as the baths have been given and discharged, and whilst the boxes
continue always to revolve, this current of air being produced by opening the tap
of the vacuum pump and one or more taps in the lower part of the apparatus in
order to allow the outside air to enter. The oxidation of the materials is thus
produced very effectively and in a very short time in comparison to what is
necessary for obtaining such oxidation in the open air.
Dated this 29th day of July 1805
An Improved Process for the Treatment of Textile and other
Material, and Apparatus therefor.
A communication by LA SOCIÉTÉ LEBLOIS PICENI & Co., of Elbeuf, St. Aubin,
Seine Inférieure, in the Republic of France.
1, GEORGE CECIL DYMOND M. Inst. M.E., of The Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham in the County of
Warwick and 322 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, 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 improved process of treatment and apparatus for carrying out the same
which form the subject of this invention, have for their object to steep, bleach, dye
and wash in an automatic and complete manner, in more or less considerable
quantities at a time without waste or felting and with the least possible
labour, all kinds of materials, and more particularly textile materials in any
condition.
All the methods of automatically treating textile materials hitherto employed,
or at least those generally recoguised as the best, are based on the use of the three
following means, viz. :-
Either the action of vacuum obtained in hermetically closed vessels;
Or the action of rotating or agitating the materials under treatment in bleaching
or. dyeing baths;
Or the action of the continuous circulation of the bath liquors through the
materials immovably fixed in a suitable receptacle, such circulation being obtained,
either by means of a rotary pump, an injector, or by pressure.
All apparatuses based on these three methods only yield however insufficient and
imperfect results.
Efforts have therefore been made to find more effective means, and in order to
obtain complete and perfect results, the textile materials are, by the present
invention, treated in a single apparatus by the combined and united action of the
three methods bereinbefore enumerated, each of which employed alone is incapable
of producing similar results.
By the combination and union of these three different methods in the same

page_text: apparatus, an extraordinary and hitherto unattained power of penetration 15
obtained, enabling perfect results as regards bleaching, dyeing and washing to be
obtained with all kinds of substances in any condition suitably treated by chemical
agents.
The improved apparatus is shown as an example in the accompanying drawing
in which
Figure 1 is a view in elevation and longitudinal section ;
Figure 2 a view partly in end elevation and partly in transverse section of the
same;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the trausmitting gear and
Figure 4 an elevation of the same;
Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of one of the boxes or drawers.
The improved apparatus consists of an hermetical digester, capable of standing
a vacuum of 65 to 70° of a manometer, i.e. 65 to 70 centimetres of mercury. It
is composed of two parts 1 and 2, placed one above the other and strongly bolted
together. A revolving shaft L passes internally through its entire length and
carries perforated boxes or vessels K. This revolving shaft is supported at one end
on a trunnion 3 arranged in one of the end walls of the apparatus, and at the
other end passes through the other end wall of the apparatus by means of a stuffing
box E, and is connected outside with a driving gear M by means of which a rotary
motion is imparted to it in either direction, either by hand for charging or
discharging the substances, or mechanically for effecting the operations of
bleaching, dyeing or washing.
Suitable openings, doors or wickets Q of the necessary size for easily handling
the materials, and always closed hermetically by means of indiarubber fittings, are
arranged in the casing of the apparatus opposite the position which each of the
revolving boxes or cases will assume during its movement of rotation in order to
allow of the material being easily inserted before treatment, and removed on the
completion of the operations. These boxes are movable on slides O arranged for
this purpose, so as to admit of being drawn forward and out of the apparatus by
suitable openings, and be replaced in the interior, where they are firmly held by
means of lateral springs O (Figure 5) placed at each end. Each box may vary
in form and in its perforations, and may have one or more compartments according
to the materials which are to be treated.
Several taps communicating with the pipes of a vacuum pump A, the steam
tubes V and those B of a rotary pump P are arranged in the upper part of the
central part of the digester, which also possesses a vacuum-indicating manometer F,
a thermometer T, a water-level indicator I and an air tap R.
In the lower part of the digester there are taps, communicating 1st with the
pipes H, supplying liquor from the baths drawn in by the action of vacuum, for
supplying air to the lower part of the apparatus, and also for discharging from
the apparatus the liquors or baths which are to be preserved; 2nd with pipes C,
serving for discharging the liquor or baths which are to be run away to waste,
and 3rd with the lower pipes B of the rotary pump P. This latter being placed
on one side of the apparatus, preferably the side opposite to where the driving
gear of the revolving internal shaft is placed.
A tap connects with a steam pipe which may heat the baths according to
requirements, either by steam being driven directly into the bath, or better still
by indirect contact. The apparatus itself as well as its parts and accessories may
vary in dimension and form according to the state, and the quantities, of materials
which it is desired to treat at a time.
It may be remarked that this vacuum apparatus differs completely from all
hitherto employed, by the combination in its interior of a revolving shaft carrying
perforated boxes, and at one of its sides, of a rotary pump which forms one with
it, both being essential and complementary parts, without which it would be
absolutely impossible to obtain the extraordinary and efficacious penetrating
power which is obtained by the special arrangement of this apparatus.

page_text: The improved apparatus having now been described, the mode of
follows:-
15 45
In this system of treatment the only operations necessary to be performed by
hand (which are in any case very inexpensive) are the following:-
:-
1st. The charging of the material into the apparatus before treatment, and
2nd. The removal of the said material bleached or dyed after it has received the
last bath.
The boxes K of the revolving shaft L having been charged with the material to
be treated, and the digester hermetically closed, as well as all the taps, the shaft L
is set in motion by means of the external gearing M, the tap of the vacuum pump A
is opened and the operations commence.
In a few minutes a vacuum of 65° to 70° is produced in the apparatus, and then
are opened the taps H of pipes immersed in an adjacent vat (generally pipes at a
low level), in which vat the first hath is prepared. By means of the vacuum
produced in the digester, this bath, from the inoment of opening the taps H, is
forced energetically into the digester, and by the combined force of vacuum and
the rotation of the material penetrates and impregnates the latter completely in a
very short time; it being necessary to close the taps H immediately, as soon as
the bath has passed up into the apparatus.
This first impregnation performed on an unbleached material, generally takes
place very well by the combination of the two effects of vacuum and the rotation
of the material, without circulation of the liquids, but it may also be done by
means of vacuum and the action of the continuous circulation of the bath by setting
in action the rotary pump without rotation of the material, and the right is reserved
of claiming either of these two methods of procedure as well as that which will
be described for the succeeding baths and which cousists in employing the three
actions at the same time.
When this first result has been obtained, the first bath is discharged, by closing
the vacuum tap A and opening the air tap R and the discharging taps on the waste
pipes C if the bath is to be run away to waste, or on the vat pipes H when
the bath is to be returned to the vat and preserved for other subsequent
operations.
When the bath has been discharged, all the taps are closed, that of the vacuum
pump A alone being opened, and vacuum is quickly restored in the apparatus.
Then by opening the taps of the rat pipes H which have been previously placed
in communication with the pipes of the vat containing such fresh bath as may be
suitable, the latter is drawn into the apparatus and saturates the materials under
treatment. After the drawing up of this new bath, the vat taps H are again closed
and it is then that it has been found, in order to obtain a second perfect and
uniform impregnation of a material already saturated with the liquid of the
preceding bath, to he almost always useful and sometimes indispensable to
unite and combine the action of the three methods hereinbefore mentioned;
namely―
1st. The action of vacuum, which, by removing the air contained in the digester,
and in the interior of the material, renders the latter more capable of being
penetrated by the liquid of the fresh bath.
2nd. The action of rotation of the material in this bath, such action largely
increasing the force of penetration and rendering possible a uniform impregnation
in all the parts of the material treated.
3rd. The action of a continuous and forcible circulation of the liquid through
the material, which action does not allow of any deposit of tinctorial matters,
renders the bath absolutely uniform in all its parts, and effectively increases the
united force of vacuum and rotation in order to obtain as a result an extraordinary
total force of penetration.
In order to obtain the entire combination of the three actions hereinbefore
mentioned, it is sufficient to open or rather leave open the tap A of the vacuum
pump (when the fresh bath has been admitted into the apparatus and the vat taps H

page_text: again closed) to allow the gearing M to impart its rotary motion to the revolving
shaft L, and to set in action the rotary pump P which energetically draws the bath
through pipes B' into the lower part of the apparatus, and discharges it not less
energetically by upper pipes B. This treatment continues until a perfect result is
obtained, and as it is very energetical it is always relatively rapid and consequently
very economical, and very effective.
Naturally this operation may always be repeated with the same certain success,
as many times as may be necessary, either with cold or hot baths according to
requirements.
It may also be pointed out that when it is a question of impregnating very
delicate substances like carded or combed cotton, sliver or roving, it is preferable
in order that they may be conveniently handled to string or thread them previously
on a cotton cord by bundles of hanks of 1 to 4 kilogrammes. This stringing,
which however is not indispensable, may be effected mechanically by any suitable
means, as for instance the one which we have indicated herein before. Each bundle
is then placed extended at length in one compartment of the boxes or drawers, whilst
lor certain kinds of material which are less apt to become felted, small bundles of
hanks may be formed by connecting the two ends of the cord on which these hanks
are strung, which may be piled up in the larger compartiments of the revolving
boxes, and there undergo in a suitable and perfect manner all the operations of
bleaching, dyeing and washing absolutely like cotton in bulk. It is in fact the
most ordinary manner of proceeding for the larger part of carded sliver. On the
contrary when it is a question of cops, bobbins or spools, it is necessary that these
latter should be arranged carefully in smaller compartments, and held firmly
pressed, so that the liquor of the baths may pass through them and penetrate
them completely without displacing or deforming them.
.
Finally, when it is a question of obtaining shades which require oxidation by
the air, as for instance white and indigo blue, a strong current of air is set up in
the digester, as soon as the baths have been given and discharged, and whilst the
boxes continue always to revolve, this current of air being produced by opening
the tap of the vacuum pump A, and one or more taps in the lower part of the
apparatus in order to allow the outside air to enter. The oxidation of the materials
is thus produced very effectively and in a very short time in comparison to what is
necessary for obtaining such oxidation in the open air.
The right is reserved of varying the forms, dimensions, proportions and
accessory parts, according to the industrial exigencies which have to be met, and
of employing for their construction such materials as may be deemed desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A process for the treatment of all kinds of materials and more particularly
of textile materials in any condition, consisting in subjecting such materials in a
single apparatus to the combined action successively or simultaneously of vacuum,
rotation and continuous circulation of the baths, substantially as herein before
described.
2. For carrying out the herein described process of treatment, the application
of an apparatus consisting of an hermetically closed digester capable of maintaining
a sufficiently great vacuum, provided with all the necessary accessory parts (such
as manometer, thermometer, taps and the like) and having firstly, in its interior
perforated cases or boxes of suitable form adapted to contain the substances to be
treated, the said cases or boxes being securely carried by a revolving shaft fitted
with a stuffing box, which shaft is driven fron a gearing placed outside the
apparatus and may be revolved as desired in either direction; secondly on its
exterior a rotary pump connected with it and capable of drawing in the baths at
the lower part and discharging them at the central part, and forming thus a
continuous circulation; thirdly, all the accessory arrangements of pipes and taps

page_text: serving for supplying and discharging the baths, admitting and discharging air and
.admitting steam; the whole substantially as herein before described and shown as
..an example in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 21st day of April 1896 ·
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.