IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING AND PRINTING TEXTILE FABRICS
Year: 1851

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
WILLIAM SIEVIER, of Upper Holloway, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Quicen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Twenty-ninth day of May, in the fourteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, 1er heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Robert William Sievier, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Robert William Sievier, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Robert William Sievier, my exors,
adiiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Planta-
tions abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man,
my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING AND PRINTING TEXTILE FABRICS;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said
Robert William Sievier, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled
in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,

page_text: as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Robert William Sievier, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
My Invention of improvements in weaving and printing textile fabrics relates,
first, to a mode of weaving a fabric to be used in lieu of that kind of fabric
commonly called Kidderminster carpeting or yard wides. The fabric produced
by means of this part of my improvements will be a plain fabric, which it will
be necessary to ornament by means of printing or staining, without which it
would be otherwise comparatively useless for the purpose for which it is
intended; the second part of my improvements, therefore, relates to various
improved means and mechanism for printing or staining such or other fabrics
which require ornamenting with patterns of divers colors.
The object of the first part of the Invention is to give a body, strength, and
durability to the cheaper kind of carpeting and similar fabrics. This improved
fabric is to be woven with one or two shuttles, as may be desired, in order that
both sides thereof may have either a similar face or a dissimilar face, as may
be desired, that is, as the faces on both sides of the fabric are made by the weft,
it will be understood that by making use of two shuttles, wefts of different
qualities may be employed, and, consequently, faces either of different or
similar qualities can be produced thereby. In making the improved fabric I
employ two warps of different materials; one warp I call the binder warp, and
is made of worsted, cotton, or linen; but the second warp, which is made use
of merely to give body and strength to the fabric, and which I call the dead
warp (as it never appears on the surface of the fabric), may be made of waste
cotton, tow, or other yarns of inforior materials. When two shuttles are
employed, this dead warp is never moved up and down out of the horizontal
line, and consequently acts as a race for the upper shuttle to run upon while
the other shuttle always passes under it; the dead warp will, therefore, divide
the binder warp shed into two parts, thereby forming two openings for the two
shuttles which are thrown at the same time, and the dead warp thereby
becomes woven into the middle of the fabric.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a sectional diagram, shewing the formation of the double
shed made by the dead warp and the binder warp, and the position of the two
shuttles and other parts connected therewith. As all the other parts of the

page_text: loom are of the ordinary construction, I have not thought it necessary to shew
them in the Drawing. The binder warp is bound upon the beam a, and passes
therefrom under the guide roller b, and through headles c, c.
The dead warp,
which forms the body of the fabric, is wound on the roller or beam d, and
passes therefrom over the guide roller e, and continues in a horizontal line
through the reed f to the breast beam g; this dead warp divides the shed
of the binder warp into two parts, and the upper shuttle / runs on the top of
the dead warp or through the upper half of the shed, while the lower shuttle
at the same time passes under the dead warp or through the lower half of the
shed, a simultaneous motion being given to the two shuttles by the ordinary
picking stick. The binder warp then crosses and forms another shed, and the
shuttles are then thrown in the opposite direction, and these operations are
continued until the fabric is completed. As the fabric would be defective or
injured unless both the shuttles are carried home, I have shewn in the Drawings
a plan for stopping the loom, should either of the shuttles by accident miss or
not arrive in their respective boxes.
Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the back of a double shuttle box with my
improvement adapted, and Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the same.
i, i, are the usual swell pieces for retaining the shuttle in the box; the backs
of these two swell pieces are connected together by means of a link j, which is
slotted at one end, as seen in Fig. 3. The tail of a lever k bears against the
back of this link j, and is kept in contact therewith by the spring 1. It will
now be understood that should either of the shuttles, say, for example, the
bottom one, by any accident miss the shuttle box, the upper part only of the
connecting link will be forced back, as shewn by dots in Fig. 3; and as this
would not act sufficiently on the tail of the lever k to raise its opposite end out
of the way of the catch, which is usually adapted to looms for the purpose
of stopping the loom when such 'accidents occur, it follows that the end of the
lever k would come into contact with the catch, and by throwing the strap off
the driving pulley will stop the loom, as is the case in ordinary power looms
when only one shuttle is employed; but when both shuttles enter their re-
spective boxes, both ends of the link j are simultaneously pressed backward into
the position shewn by the red lines in Fig. 3, and the opposite end of the
curved lever k will consequently be raised sufficiently, as shewn in the Drawing,
so as to pass over the catch, and thereby allow the several operations of the
loom to continue without interruption.
A plain fabric having been produced by the means above set forth, it will
now be necessary to ornament the surface thereof by printing or otherwise,
without which the fabric would be generally useless for the purposes for which
<

page_text: it is intended. I now, therefore, proceed to describe how these fabrics aro
ornamented with any patterns desired, by printing 'in colors by means of the
machinery or apparatus about to be described and shewn in Sheet II...
In the machine shewn in the Drawing, eight pieces of the fabric can be
printed at the same time. The machine is. circular in form, and consists prin-
cipally of two horizontal broad flat rings, mounted on wheels or rollers secured
to the stationary framing for the purpose of receiving rotary motion. The
upper one of these rings carries the blocks on which the several parts of the
pattern or design to be printed is cut, and the lower ring carries the color
boxes and rollers whereby the blocks are supplied with color. The outer edges
or peripheries of these two rings are formed with teeth into which toothed
wheels gear, whereby the said rings may be carried round when required.
In the machine partially shewn in the Drawing, there are: eight printing blocks.
in the whole, and eight color boxes and rollers, and consequently, there must
be eight printing tables and a corresponding number of pressing surfaces. The
printing tables are, of course, stationary, and the pressing surfaces or platens,
whereby the impression from the block is transferred to the fabric, severally
lay over the tables, and are connected by rods to cranks on horizontal shafts
turning in bearings fixed to the standards. or stationary framing, by which the
platens are made to ascend and descend at proper times. The pieces of fabric
to be printed are wound on rollers placed immediately in front of the printing
tables, and after having been operated upon by the printed blocks, they pass
over triangular-shaped rotary frames, the length of the sides of which frames
correspond to the length of the pattern, and from thence the fabric proceeds
downwards through an opening in the floor to the room or apartment beneath.
Having now given a general description of the machine, I will proceed to
describe more in detail the construction, arrangement, and operation of its
several parts. Fig. 3 represents a partial horizontal view of the machine, some
of the upper parts having been removed in order that the construction of the
under parts may be more clearly seen; Fig. 4 is a partial elevation of the
machine, some of the parts being shewn in section; Fig. 5, Sheet III., is a
transverse vertical section of the machine upon an enlarged scale; and Fig. 6,
a longitudinal vertical section taken through the working parts, and also drawn
upon an enlarged scale. The upper ring which carries the engraved printing
blocks is shewn at A, A, A, A, in all the Figures; this ring A is supported
upon and guided by antifriction wheels or rollers a, a, and a*, a*, (see Figs.
5 and 6) mounted on brackets secured to the framing. The table A receives
its rotary movement when required by means of a horizontal toothed wheel
(see Figures 3, 5, and 8); this wheel is mounted loosely on the vertical shaft C

page_text: and gears into the rack formed round the periphery of the ring A, as seen in
Figures 3 and 4. The printing blocks or plates d, d, seen in Figures 5 and 6,
and in horizontal view at Figure 7, are supported in openings made in the
ring A, and rest upon strips of vulcanized caoutchouc e, e, which are laid on
ledges made in the opening in the ring A for that purpose. The pressing sur-
faces or platens f are suspended by connecting rods from the cranks on the
shafts g, seen best in Figures 4 and 5; these crank shafts turn in bearings
attached to the arched standards or stationary framings D, D, and carry at
each end a bevil wheel h, h, whereby the respective shafts of each platen are
connected together so that they may be made to work simultaneously or nearly
so. The fabrics to be printed are wound upon the rollers E, see Fig. 5, and
from thence pass over the printing tables or surfaces i, it then passes over an
adjustable triangular rotary frame G; the length of the sides of this frame
may be regulated at pleasure by means of screw bolts and nuts in order to
adjust them to the extent of the pattern to be printed. The extreme edges
of the three angles of this frame G are furnished with points to lay hold of the
fabric, in order that as the frame is made to turn on its axis it may draw the
fabric forward with it. The frame G is mounted in bearings in a standard,
and being adjusted to the pattern to be printed, it will be understood, that
when the frame G is made to perform one-third of a revolution it will draw
forward the fabric the exact distance required to continue and repeat the
pattern. The rotation of this frame is effected by the ring A having upon its
upper surface at te a sufficient number of teeth, which, through the agency of
the shaft vand bevil wheels in connection therewith, cause the triangular
frame G to turn one-third of a revolution, thereby drawing forward the fabric
a distance equal to the width of the printing block. The second ring B runs
on antifriction wheels or rollers b, b, and guided by side rollers beneath the
first ring A, and carries the color boxes and roller F, see Figures 5 and 6; the
ring B is also furnished at its periphery with teeth, which gear into the teeth of
the wheel shewn by dots in Fig. 5; this wheel is mounted loosely on the
same vertical shaft C as carries the wheel c which gives motion to the
upper ring A; neither of these wheels c and being keyed to the shaft they do
not rotate with it unless locked thereto, and consequently do not give motion
to either of the rings A or B, except when either of the clutches or are
brought into gear with their hubs, and which is effected by means of the levers
and on the rocking shaft n, which latter is through the intervention of the
connecting lever actuated by a cam * on the main shaft H, see Fig 5. The
shaft II carries a bevelled-tooth wheel o, which gears into a smaller bevil wheel
on the upper end of the vertical shaft C, and is actuated thereby; this shaft H

page_text: also carries another small bevilled-toothed wheel p, gearing into a similar wheel
on the axle of the wheel q, which wheel 2 is furnished with teeth round one
half only of its periphery, the remaining portion of the periphery of this wheel
being made plain; the teeth of this wheel 9 gears into and drives the toothed
wheel on the horizontal crank shaft g, and by the rotation of the crank shafts
the platens fare carried down and up, and by pressing the engraved block
upon the fabric gives the impression of the pattern to the fabric on the printing
table i; immediately that the pressure is removed from the block d by the ascent
of the platen f, the india-rubber pieces e, e, will raise the block d from the sur-
face of the fabric, and allow the block to be carried onward for a similar opera-
tion on the next piece which is laid upon the next table in the circuit. From the
arrangement of the rings A and B with the vertical shaft C and its wheels c, k,
and clutch boxes c and k, it will be evident that the rings A and B are made
to move alternately, that is, while the ring A is stationary and the platen fis
being brought down upon the block d to give the impression, the lower clutch
kis brought into gear with the wheel , and the lower ring B is moved
onward one stage, thereby carrying the colour boxes and rollers F under the
block d and printing table i to the other side of the table, and in advance of
the block it had previously coloured. The printing operation from one block
having been thus accomplished, and the block & raised, the ring A. then begins
to move round, which movement is effected by the cam n" on the shaft H
having, by means of the lever 1, thrown the clutch c* into gear with the wheel c,
as shewn in the Drawing. In order to cause the rings A and B to stop in the
exact spot for giving the impression, I employ drop catches 2, 2, which are
made to take into notches made in each of the rings; when the rings are
required to move round, a stud or tappet y on the wheel q is made to come
against the vertical arm of the shaft of the drop catch, and lift the catch
out of the notch, and thereby relieve the ring; the lower ring B may be operated
upon and stopped in a similar manner, by a tappet on the opposite side of the
wheel being made to act against a lever, which will lift up the catch out
of the notch. It should bo here remarked, that immediately below the spot
where the colour boxes and rollers become stationary, and just half way
between the places where the printing blocks operate, are placed cams I, I,
which are fixed to the ground, the upper part s, s, being screwed to the lower
part I in such a manner that admits of nice and easy adjustment; this arrange-
ment is seen best in Figures 5 and 6. From the under side of the colour box
descend arms t, t, at the lower extremities of which antifriction rollers are
fixed, and as the ring B is carried round, these rollers come in contact with
the inclines 8, s, of tho cams I, and consequently raise up and bring the colour
I

page_text: box and roller into the position shewn in Figure 6, where they will remain
while the engraved block d is passed over and receiving a charge of colour.
It is necessary, for the proper delivery of the colour of the roller F to the
surface of the engraved block d, that the roller should be made to revolve by
means independent of its friction of contact with that block. Now, in order to
effect this, I-secure to the under side of the table A, at w, a long strip of vul-
canized caoutchouc, leather, or other material, to produce friction, which -strip
must be in length equal to the width of the block d to be coloured, so that as
the block passes over to receive its colour, the strip w, before mentioned, will
be brought into contact.with the friction wheel x on the shaft. of the elevated
colour roller, thus causing that roller to revolve and deliver its colour to the
block; when the ring B moves forward again, the rollers of the arms t, t, will
descend the opposite incline of the cams 8, s, and allow the colour rollers to
rest on the ring B whilst passing under the printing table i, i.
The several Figures in Sheet IV. represent different views of a modification
of the arrangement just described, whereby some of the parts shewn in the last-
described arrangement aro dispensed with, and the wholo machine somewhat
simplified in construction and operation. The principal difference between the
two plans consist in the mode of imparting the pressure for the purpose of trans-
ferring the design from the block to the fabric to be printed. It will be recol-
lected that in the machine just described the block on which the pattern is cut is
mounted on india spring bearings in a table, and is pressed down upon the fabric
to be printed by means of a platten or pressing surface, and that the fabric to
be printed is passed over a stationary table, so that in order to transfer or print
the pattern or design from the block to the fabric, the block is at the proper
time brought down on to the fabric, and operates in a somewhat similar manner
to the platten or pressing surface of an ordinary hand printing press. In the
arrangement shewn in Sheet IV. these operations are, however, reversed, that
is, the block or printing surface, although suspended above the fabric, as in the
former arrangement, is stationary while the printing operation takes place, and
the fabric or surface to be printed is carried up and pressed against the
engraved surface of the block...
Ilaying thus briefly pointed out the distinctive characteristics of the present
modification, compared with that shewn in Sheets II. and III., I will now pro-
ceed to describe in detail those parts which differ essentially in construction or
operation from the arrangement herein-before described, but shall only briefly
notice such parts as are common to both arrangements. Fig. 8, Sheet IV.,
is a plan or horizontal view of a portion of a complete machine; Fig. 4° is a
sectional elevation of the same, shewing the color rollers raised, and in contact

page_text: with the surface of the engraved block; Fig. 5' is a cross section of the same;
Fig. 6° is also a cross section of the parts connected with the engraved block,
and shewing the fabric to be operated upon in the act of being printed; Fig. 7
is another section (taken at right angles to the former) of the block and
printing apparatus in the act of printing; Fig. 8ª is a plan or horizontal view
of a portion of the table for carrying the block, and shewing the manner of
adjusting the block so as to obtain perfect register. The engraved blocks d, d,
are screwed to plates e, e, which are attached to frames f', f, and are capable
of being adjusted therein, as will be hereafter explained. These frames f,f, are
placed in openings made in the circular table A, A, and are firmly secured thereto
by bolts. The color is imparted to the engraved surface of the blocks by means
of a roller and trough F, connected with the lower circular table B, in a similar
manner to that described in the former arrangement; this operation will not,
therefore, require any further explanation. The fabric to be printed is wound
on a roller at E, and passes over a stationary frame or table i, i, in which a
square opening is made, as seen in Figures 6 and 7 at *, *, and more clearly
in the detached plan view, Fig. 9. This opening is furnished with a leather
or other flexible apron 2, as seen best in Figures 6 and 7; this apron sup-
ports the fabric when being printed, and the pressure is given by means of an
impression roller or cylinder D, which is mounted at the upper end of two ver-
tical rods g, g, which work in guides or standards fixed on the lower circular
table B. The lower ends of these rods g, g, are supported by the spring arnis
h, which are mounted on the horizontal shaft 1. A lever, furnished at its
lower end with an antifriction roller, is mounted at or near the centre of this
shaft, and acts against the surface of a table I', Figures 6 and 7.
manner.
The tables A and B are provided on their outer edge with toothed racks, as
in the former arrangement, but motion is communicated to them in a different
In the present instance is the main driving shaft, on which is
mounted a bevil wheel, which gears into a large horizontal bevil wheel on
the lower end of the vertical shaft C. This shaft carries two wheels c and c
one of which gears into the teeth of and drives the lower circular table B, and
the other one gears into the teeth of and drives the upper circular table A. These
wheels c and c, however, are only provided with teeth on one-half of their cir-
cumference, and are arranged in such a manner that when the teeth of one
wheel are in gear with and in the act of driving its corresponding table, the
teeth of the other wheel are out of gear with the rack of the other table, which
consequently remains stationary. =,, are stop pieces or catches, which are
attached to some convenient part of the framing, and by dropping into
holes 4 (see Fig. 8), made in the upper side of the circular tables A and B,

page_text: serve to retain these tables and hold them steady during the operations of
receiving the color and printing. When it is required to move either of the
tables, the catches or are removed or lifted from the holes by means of
cam pieces y or y on the wheels c or c. These cams y or *, by passing
under the catches or , lift them out of the holes just previous to the teeth
of the wheels c or c coming into gear with either of the racks on the tables A
or B, which may then be moved round. The operation of the several parts
is as follows:-The colour rollers F having been raised into the clevated posi-
tion shewn in Figures 4a and 5a, motion is communicated to the shaft C, as
before mentioned, and the wheels c and c being carried round, the cam piece
y is brought under the catch, which is thereby lifted out of the hole 4 in th
table A, and the latter may then be moved round by the teeth of the wheel c,
so as to pass the blocks over, and in contact with the color rollers F, for the
purpose of imparting the required quantity of color thereto. The blocks having
thus received the colour, as aforesaid, and having arrived at the proper place
over the table i, where the printing operation takes place, the catch falls into
a hole 4 in the table, and holds the latter firmly during the printing operation,
which immediately follows by the toothed sector of the wheel c coming round
and moving the table B, the catch having been previously lifted by a cam
piece y, in the same manner as just explained with reference to the table A.
By the table B travelling onward, the antifriction roller at the lower end of
the lever 2 on the shaft 1 comes into contact with the bevelled edge of the
table I, and, by means of the spring arms h and vertical rods g, raises the
impression roller D into contact with the under surface of the apron, on
which lies the fabric to be printed. The effect of this will be that the roller D
will press the fabric, as seen at Fig. 6a and 7a, upwards against the coloured
surface of the block d, and as the table B continues to travel onward, it will,
by causing the antifriction roller of the lever 2 to run along the surface of the
table I', carry the impression roller D from one side to the other of the block,
and by that means transfer the whole of the pattern to the fabric. Upon the
antifriction roller of the lever arriving at the end of the table I', it will drop
down and relieve the fabric and the block from the pressure of the impression
roller D.
I would here observe that I prefer to make the arms h of steel, so as to give
them a certain amount of elasticity, for the purpose of preventing the roller D
from imparting an undue pressure to the fabric. As the pressure during the
printing operation is exerted from the under side, and consequently there is a
tendency to force the table upwards, antifriction rollers 6, 6*, are mounted in
bearings above the table A for the purpose of receiving the pressure, and

page_text: keeping the table A from rising. It has been said that the plate to which the
block d is attached is mounted in a frame in such a manner as to admit of
being accurately adjusted therein. The way in which this is effected will be
best understood by referring to the detachod plan view 8a. The engraved
block dis screwed or otherwise firmly secured to the plate e, which is attached
to or suspended in the frame f by means of a centre bolt or screw 5. The
frame is also furnished with a number of set screws 6, 6, the lower ends of
which pass through holes made in the frame, and bear against the back of the
plate c, c. It will, therefore, be seen that the plate c and its block d may be
adjusted vertically with great nicety. In order however to adjust the block
horizontally, as will be necessary to produce an accurate register, the plate e is
furnished at each corner with a vertical stud or block 7, which projects up
through square holes made in the frame f, f, for that purpose. Horizontal set
screws 8, 8, are made to bear against the sides of the vertical studs or blocks 7,
which may be moved horizontally, as may be required, by merely turning the
set screws 8, 8.
The arrangement of parts for passing the fabric through the machine, and
bringing a fresh portion of the surface under the block when required, is
similar to that described at length in the machine shewn in Sheets II. and III.
It will not, therefore, be necessary to enter into any further explanation
thereof, as the same letters of reference as to these parts, are marked upon the
Figures of both machines.
In Sheet V., I have shewn another modification or arrangement of machinery
for printing. In this arrangement instead of two horizontal circular tables I
employ two sets or series of horizontal rollers, placed one above the other.
The lower series of rollers are mounted in bearings immediately above the
colour rollers and troughs, and the under sides of these colour rollers dip in the
colour contained in the troughs, as in the former case, but transfer the colour
to the middle series of rollers, which act as the printing cylinders in place of
the flat blocks of the before described arrangements, the surfaces of the cylin-
ders having the design intended to be produced on the fabric engraved thereon
in the ordinary manner. The third or upper series of rollers are the pressing
cylinders, which, by their own weight, press the fabric down upon the engraved
surface of the printing cylinders or rollers. As each of the printing cylinders
is intended to have a particular part of the pattern engraved thereon, corre-
sponding to a particular colour in the design, it will be understood that the
carpet or other fabric, after passing between the printing and pressing cylin
ders, will issue from the machine with the complete and finished pattern
printed thereon.

page_text: In the Drawing. I have shewn six different sets of coloring, printing, and
pressing rollers, but this number may be increased to ten, twenty, or even
inore, depending upon the variety of shades and colors required to be produced,
or the elaborateness of the pattern."
Fig. 10, in Sheet V. of the Drawings, represents a side elevation of a printing
machine constructed on the above-mentioned plan. The right-hand end of
the machine is shewn in section, in order that the construction and operation
of the machine may be more clearly understood. Fig. 11 is a transverse
vertical section of a machine, taken in a line parallel to the rollers. The main
framing of the machine is shewn at A, A; it is composed of several parts, and
is properly and securely bolted together, as shewn in the Drawing. a, a, a, are
the color rollers, which by rotating in the color troughs take up.colour there-
from, and impart it to the surface of the engraved printing cylinders b, b, b;
c, c, c, are the pressing rollers which keep the carpet or other fabric. to be
printed in contact with the engraved printing cylinders 6, b. These pressing
rollers are mounted in slotted bearings in the horizontal longitudinal rails of.
the framing. The bearings which carry the color rollers or lowest. set are
adjustable, and are provided with. adjusting screws d, d, for that purpose.
The printing rollers b, b,. run in fixed bearings on the middle rail of the
framing A. The two rails on one side of the machine, which support the
coloring and printing rollers, must be so connected to the other or fixed part
of the framing as to be easily detached therefrom, in order to allow those
rollers to be readily withdrawn when required to be changed. The top or.
pressing rollers are made of iron, and are mounted and run loosely in bearings,
which consist simply of vertical slots cast on or attached to the upper rail. By
this means the rollers c, c, are mado to press down upon the printing. rollers
b, b, by their own weight. These latter. rollers 6 are made in two halves for
the convenience of attaching to them the wooden surface on which the pattern
is cut. The wooden shell is attached to the metal by means of screws, as seen
best in the longitudinal section, Fig. 12. The two halves are then bolted
together, as shewn in the Drawing at Fig. 10. They are then mounted and
keyed upon an axle, as shewn in Fig. 12 (which is a detached view of one
half of a printing roller). This axle has a screw and nut e, e, at each end, for
the purpose of adjusting the roller horizontally thereon, in order to cause the
several parts of the pattern to correspond or register perfectly. The color
troughs ff, are supported by the transverse bars g, g, which are furnished
with vertical and horizontal screws h, h, and h*, h, Figures 10 and 11, for
the purpose of adjusting the same, and varying the position of the boxes,
and fixing them in the proper position. At each end of the framing A are

page_text: mounted two large drums B, B*, around which and over a tightening roller C
a band i, i, is passed. The band is furnished with some very fine card teeth
which, by entering into, carry along with it the fabric to be printed. This
fabric is wound upon a roller D, which is furnished with a friction wheel and
band, and is thereby prevented from turning except to the required extent.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-Motion is given by means of a
driving band I to the large drum B, which, by the toothed wheel upon its
axle, gearing into the wheel m of the roller I, turns that roller, and by an
intermediate wheel n and wheels o, p, q, on the axles of the rollers a, b, c, and
intermediate pinion 7, cause the several colouring, printing, and pressing rollers
to revolve. The wheels on the axles of the colour rollers should have one
tooth less in number than those of the printing rollers by which they are
driven, in order that the surface speed of the colour rollers should be rather
greater than that of the printing rollers. The fabric to be printed is passed in
between the rollers B and H, under and in contact with the band i, i, which, by
its prickly surface, carries the carpet or other fabric forward between the
rollers, as shewn in the Drawing. This band i prevents the carpet from being
stretched or elongated during its passage between the rollers, and as the carpet
becomes printed, and issues from the machine, it is passed over rollers 8, t, u,
where it is hung loosely to dry, as shewn in the Drawing.
Fig. 13 represents a means of printing simultaneously several colours with
one roller. The roller and trough, it will be seen, are divided inta sections,
and each portion is supplied with a different kind of colour, as shewn in the
Drawing. It will, therefore, be understood that in passing the carpet over a
printing cylinder furnished in this manner with different colours, a variegated
and complicated pattern will be produced on its surface.
Having now described my several improvements, and the best means with
which I am acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would observe in
conclusion that in reference to the first part of my improvements, I claim
making or producing carpets or similar fabrics by means of the peculiar mode
of weaving above shewn and described, in conjunction with a process of
printing or staining, whereby the surface or surfaces thereof may be orna-
mented.
In reference to the second part of my Invention, viz, improvements in
printing textile fabrics, whether made according to the first part of the present
Invention or otherwise, I claim the adaptation of engraved plates, blocks, or
printing surfaces, together with the colour rollers and troughs and their
appendages to moveable rings or tables, which are male to rotate round a
centre, and bring each of the said engraved plates, blocks, or printing surfaces

page_text: consecutively over the fabrics to be operated upon, and whereby the different
colours or shades may be successively printed thereon until the pattern is com-
pleted. I also claim the arrangement shewn in Sheet V., or any mere modi-
fication thereof, for printing carpets or other fabrics.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert William Sievier, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.