IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRYING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Leeming Webster, of Dewsbury, in the County of York,
Machine Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR DRYING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Leeming Webster at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th April 1879.
"IM-
LEEMING WEBSTER, of Dewsbury, in the County of York, Machine Maker.
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRYING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
This Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for drying fibrous substances
either in the form of raw material or in a partly manufactured state, being par-
ticularly applicable for drying hanks of yarn.
The apparatus consists of a close box or chamber capable of being heated by
either steam or hot air. To each side of the chamber are fixed a series of chain
pullies, over which travel two endless chains. For drying hanks of yarn I stretch
a number of such hanks upon two cross bars or rods which extend across the
chamber, being attached at each end to the said endless chains.
The hanks thus placed enter the machine at one extremity thereof and after
traversing the whole length of the machine or chamber several times, according to
the number of guide pulleys employed, they pass out of the machine, and the bars
or carrying rods are disconnected from the chains when the banks are found to be
sufficiently dried.
Star wheels or projections are fixed on the ends of the cross bars which come in
contact with other projections fixed to the machine, by means of which the rods are
caused to revolve, and thus they are prevented from remaining in contact with the
same portions of the hanks during the whole time, which ensures all parts being
equally dried.
For drying raw material, sheets of netting, or of lags of wood, or other suitable
material may be connected to the endless chains so as to form a double support,
between which the fibres can be placed in a thin layer, which will be turned over
so as to expose each surface alternately to the drying current every time the chains
pass over a guide pulley.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Leeming Webster in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
October 1879.
LEEMING WEBSTER, of Dewsbury, in the County of York, Machine Maker. “IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRYING FIBROUS SUBSTANCES."
This Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for drying fibrous substances,
[Pmine &dI

page_text: :
being particularly applicable for drying, hanks of yarn. The apparatus consists of
a close box or chamber capable of being heated by either steam or hot air. To each
side of the chamber are fixed a series of chain pullies, over which travel two endless
chains. For drying hanks of yarn I stretch a number of such hanks upon two
cross bars or rods which extend across the chamber, being attached at each end to
the said endless chains..
The hanks thus placed enter the machine at one extremity thereof, and after
traversing the whole length of the machine or chamber several times, according to
the number of guide pulleys employed, they pass out of the machine, and the bars
or carrying rods are disconnected from the chains when the hanks are found to be
sufficiently dried. Star wheels or projections are fixed on the ends of the cross-
bars which come in contact with other projections fixed to the machine, by means
of which the rods are caused to revolve, and thus they are prevented from remaining
in contact with the same portions of the hanks during the whole time, which
ensures all parts being equally dried.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I hereto annex a
Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine,
partly in section. A is a box or chamber, which may be closed with the exceptions of
the openings a; this chamber rests upon the masonary work B, within which is a hot
air apparatus consisting of a tubular boiler or flue C with pipes fixed longitudinally
therein for air to pass through, steam being admitted through the pipe D and
passing out at E, whereby the air is heated before entering the chamber A; a fan F
may be employed for supplying the air. G are a series of shafts extending across
the chamber and carrying at each end chain wheels H, over which pass two endless
chains J, only one of which is seen in the Drawing. The hanks to be dried are
placed upon cross bars K, L, which are placed into recesses in or attached to the
chains as they pass out at the end of the machine, the bars of each pair being placed
at such a distance apart as will keep the banks extended. If the chain is travelling
in the direction shewn in the Drawings the hanks enter the chamber at the top
and circulate from one end to the other until they pass out again at the bottom,
this process being carried on until they are dry. The bars K, L, are provided with
fingers m, which come in contact with pins or stops n placed at intervals apart in
the path of the chain, so that at each pin n the bars are turned round about a
quarter of a revolution for the purpose of changing the portion of the hank in
contact therewith, and thereby secure uniform dryness of all parts. The chain
wheels H may be driven by means of worm P, worm wheel R, and toothed wheels S,
fixed upon the shafts G, and intermediate wheels T at one end of the machine, or
other suitable means of driving may be adopted. In consequence of the readiness
with which the bars can be attached and removed from the chain, and the slow
motion of the latter, the machine can be charged and emptied whilst in motion.
Having now described the nature of my Invention I would have it understood
that I claim,―
Firstly. The general construction and arrangement of apparatus for drying hanks
in manner herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The employment of endless chains J and bars K, L, for exposing hanks
to a current of hot or cold air, substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Leeming Webster, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.