An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Treating Fabrics to Render them Waterproof, applicable also to the Treatment of Fabrics to Fix the Dye thereof.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 28th Mar., 1900-Accepted, 2nd June, 1900
[Communicated from abroad by JEAN THEODORE VAN GESTEL, of 119, Fifth
Avenue, New York, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer,]
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Treating Fabrics to
Render them Waterproof, applicable also to the Treatment of
Fabrics to Fix the Dye thereof.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for treating
fabrics to render them waterproof, applicable also to the treatment of fabrics to
fix the dye thereof, and has for its object to effect such waterproofing or dye
fixing by electrolysis.
Attempts hitherto made to waterproof fabrics and to set the dye by means of
an electric currents have been only partially successful or have failed altogether.
In one of these attempts such fabric was passed between an oxidisable anode and
a cathode with the expectation that the said anode would be oxidised and the
oxide carried into the fabric. This attempt was ineffectual.
According to the present invention the waterproofing of the fabric is effected by
saturating the said fabric in a bath of soluble metallic salts and then subjecting
it to the action of an electric current which causes an insoluble oxide of the metal
of the salt to be formed in the interstices of the fabric. In fixing a dye the
metallic salts may be mingled with the die in the fabric under the influence of
the electric current, thereby acting as a mordant in fixing the dye.
It is preferable to pass an electric current through the bath of metallic salts
while the fabric to be treated is immersed therein. By this means the salts are
carried into the interstices of the fabric and evenly distributed through the said
fabric. The electric couple in this bath consists of two plates of suitable substance,
preferably of zinc and oxide of manganese respectively; the oxide of manganese
forming the anode.
From this bath the fabric is led through apparatus in which the waterproofing
or dye fixing is effected.
This apparatus may be constructed in any suitable manner but consists prefer-
ably of two similar sections each of which comprises a framework upon which is
supported a table. These tables are preferably of wood with series of metallic
plates fixed to their upper surfaces, which plates are electrically connected res-
pectively to one end of a circuit. At the ends of each of the sections are journalled
drums or rollers which carry endless travelling belts consisting of metallic plates
hinged together. Other rollers are mounted in a parallel plane above the first
mentioned rollers and carry other endless travelling belts of similar construction
to the first mentioned belts, so that each section of the apparatus is provided with
two superposed endless travelling metallic belts. Beneath each of the said tables

page_text: is a washing trough partly filled with water through which the lower sides of the
lower metallic belts respectively pass. The metallic belts serve as electrodes in
the waterproofing or dye setting circuits. The upper sides of the lower metallic
belts rest respectively upon the metallic strips carried by the tables and are
thereby placed in circuit. The upper sides of the upper metallic belts rest
respectively upon metallic rollers to which the opposite terminals of the electric
circuits are respectively connected. The fabric after saturation in the bath of
metallic salts passes between the upper and lower metallic belts of each section suc-
cessively; the said fabric resting upon the upper part of the lower metallic belt
and the lower part of the top metallic belt resting upon the fabric. As the fabric
is wet a path for the electric current is formed through it between the metallic
belts.
The drums or rollers are mounted in adjustable bearings by means of which the
tension of the metallic belts may be regulated. These drums or rollers are caused
to revolve by suitable gearing from a convenient source of power.
As the rollers or drums revolve the fabric is drawn through the apparatus.
Drying rolls which are caused to rotate by any suitable means and through which
the fabric is finally passed, may be provided. Under the drying rolls a trough
may be placed, which trough may if required be connected to one of the afore-
said washing troughs.
As the current passes through the saturated fabric, it apparently oxidises the
metal of the salts with which the said fabric is saturated and thereby renders
the latter waterproof.
The electric current may be derived from any suitable source and the electrical
connections are so arranged that the current passes through the fabric in
opposite directions in the respective sections of the apparatus; so that both
surfaces of the fabric are similarly treated. A voltmeter may be inserted in the
circuit and an ammeter may be placed in shunt across the circuit. In each branch
of the circuit resistances may be inserted whereby the amount of current flowing
over each of the couples may be regulated; the said couples being preferably
arranged in multiple.
The aforesaid metallic bands forming the electrodes are composed of metal of
a high degree of conductivity and preferably subject to a minimum amount of
oxidation. Such metal may for instance be an alloy of copper as nickel bronze or
aluminium bronze.
Before inserting the fabric between these electrodes or belts, any oxide which
may have formed on the said belts should be removed. This may be readily done
by reversing the current through the belts by means of a suitable switch." The
oxide driven from the belts in this manner is deposited in the washing troughs.
After passing the piece of cloth through the apparatus, the current should be
reversed, as above stated, and the plates freed from oxide, but while the fabric is
passing through the apparatus the current should not be reversed.
The passage of the current through the bath of metallic salts, in addition to
distributing the metallic salts thoroughly through the fabric, serves also to prevent
the current (designed to pass from one electrode belt to the other through the
cloth) from running from one of said electrodes down one side of the fabric to
the bath and across to the other side and so back to the other one of said electrodes.
This tendency is overcome by the current from said bath spreading upwardly on
the fabric thereby assisting in confining the current to the path through the cloth
between the electrodes.
For fixing the dye in the fabric the apparatus is used substantially in the
manner above set forth, the metallic salts being applied to the fabric either with
the dye or added to the fabric by means of the bath of metallic salts, in the manner
above described. The electric current acting upon the salts produces the effect
of a mordant in making the dye permanent.
In preparing the solution of salts for the aforesaid bath, the color of the goods
to be treated must be considered. For white goods an aqueous solution of the

page_text: sulphide or chloride of some such metal as zinc that will produce a white oxide
may be used, while for dark goods a soluble salt of any metal such as iron that
will produce a dark oxide may be employed, and for goods of other colors the
soluble salt of a suitable metal such as will not change the colour, may be chosen
in accordance with well known colouring properties of metals.
By the term metallic salt or salts I mean to include all the chemical materials
which are capable, under electrolytic action, of giving out an insoluble oxide of
a metal.
It is obvious also that instead of using two sections in which the current
traverses the fabric in opposite directions and whereby the treatment of the
fabric is effected by one handling, one such section only may be employed and
the fabric passed through it twice.
Dated this 28th day of T…..... 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Treating Fabrics to
Render them Waterproof, applicable also to the Treatment of
Fabrics to Fix the Dye thereof.
i
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:-
This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for treating
fabrics to render them waterproof, applicable also to the treatment of fabrics to
fix the dye thereof, and has for its object to effect such waterproofing or dye
fixing by electrolysis.
Attempts hitherto made to waterproof fabrics and to fix the dye by means of
an electric currents have been only partially successful or have failed altogether.
In one of these attempts such fabric was passed between an oxidisable anode and
a cathode with the expectation that the said anode would be oxidised and the
oxide carried into the fabric. This attempt was ineffectual.
According to the present invention the waterproofing of the fabric is effected by
saturating the said fabric in a bath of soluble metallic salts and then subjecting
it to the action of an electric current which causes an insoluble oxide of the metal
of the salt to be formed in the interstices of the fabric. In fixing a dye the
metallic salts are mingled with the dye in the fabric under the influence of the
electric current, the oxide thus produced acting as mordant.
It is preferable to pass an electric current through the bath of metallic salts
while the fabric to be treated is immersed therein. By this means the salts are
carried into the interstices of the fabric and evenly distributed through the said
fabric.
From this bath the fabric is passed through the waterproofing or dye fixing
apparatus which preferably consists of two similar parts each of which comprises
two endless travelling metallic belts between which the fabric passes.
belts are respectively connected to the opposite poles of a suitable source of
These
electricity, and thus form electrodes; the lower belt travelling over fixed contact
strips or plates connected to one pole, and the upper belt travelling over a roller

page_text: connected to the other pole, of the source of electricity. The belts are preferably
composed of transverse metal strips hinged together. A washing trough is
placed beneath the lower metallic belt and through this trough the said belt
passes. A switch is provided whereby the direction of the current may be reversed
to remove any oxide from the belts or when required.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the accom-
panying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of part of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a plan of part of a pair of endless metallic band and the fixed
contact strips.
Figure 4 is a diagram of the reversing switch and the electric circuits.
5 is the bath of metallic salts in which the fabric 8 is immersed. 6 and 7 are
plates constituting the electric couple in this bath. These plates may be of any
suitable substance but are preferably of zinc and oxide of manganese respectively;
the oxide of manganese plate forming the anode. From the bath 5, the fabric 8
is led through the apparatus in which the waterproofing or dye fixing is effected.
This waterproofing and dye fixing apparatus consists of two similarly constructed
sections 8 and 9 removably connected by bars or plates 32.
Each of these sections consists of a suitable frame on the top of which are
wooden longitudinal pieces 11. 12, 12 (Figure 2) are cross pieces which extend
between the pieces 11, and support a table 13 preferably of wood. This table
extends between the pieces 11, and carries a series of metallic plates 14, prefer-
ably in the manner indicated in Figure 3. These plates are connected to a con-
ductor 15, to which one terminal of the electric circuit is connected by means
of the binding post 16.
At the ends of each of the secțions 9 and 10, there are journalled drums or
rollers 17, which carry an endless belt 18 consisting of metallic plates hinged
together substantially as shown. Similar rollers 19 are mounted in the plane
above that of the rollers 17, and carry an endless belt 20 constructed in the same
manner as belt 18. The tension of the belts 18 and 20 may be regulated by
adjusting screws 21 and 22.
Under the table 13 and the rollers 17, is placed a trough 23, which is partially
filled with water through which the belt 18 passes to keep it clean. The rollers 17
and 19 are shown as octagonal, each facet corresponding to the width of a plate
in the belts 18 and 20.
The motive power may be applied to these rollers in any suitable manner, such
for instance as by belts or chains 24 which pass around pulleys on the ends of
the shaft of one of the pairs of rollers 17, as indicated in Figure 1. These belts
or chains are driven by any suitable gearing, as for instance by worms 25
carried by a rotary shaft and gearing with worm wheels mounted on a shaft
carrying a pulley 26 about which belts 24 travel. The rotary worm shaft may
be driven from any suitable source of power by a belt passing round a pulley 27
carried by said shaft.
Drying rolls 28 and 29 may be provided. Motion may be transmitted to these
rolls through a belt or chain 30 driven from the worm shaft as indicated. Under
these drying rolls a trougli 31 may be placed which, if desired, may be connected
to the trough 23, as shown in Figure 2.
The fabric 8 passes between the belts 18 and 20 which serve as electrodes in
the water-proofing or dye fixing circuit. The upper portion of belt 18, rests
upon the metallic strips 14, and is thereby placed in the circuit. The
lower portion of the belt 20, lies upon the cloth or fabric, and the
latter being wet a path for the circuit is formed through it between the said
belts. Electrical connection to the belt 20, may be effected in any suitable
manner such as by placing under its upper portion a metallic roller 33 to which
one terminal of the electric circuit is connected by a binding post 34.

page_text: ererring to Figure 4, 35 is the source from which current is led to a pole
changing or reversing switch 36. This switch is of the ordinary form and its
construction and operation are apparent. From the switch 36 the conductor 37
leads respectively to the belt 18 of section 9, to the belt 20 of section 10, and
to the plate 6 of the bath 5; while from the other terminal of the switch,
current is led by means of a conductor 38, to the belt 20 of section 9, to the belt 18
of section 10, and to the plate 7 of the bath 5.
at 39, may be inserted in the circuit, and a suitable ammeter as indicated at 40,
A suitable voltmeter, as indicated
may be placed in shunt across the circuit. 41, 42 and 43 are adjustable re-
sistances inserted in the respective branches of the circuit, whereby the amount
of current flowing over each of the couples, (which are arranged in multiple),
may be regulated.
For the purpose of rendering a piece of fabric waterproof or water-repellant,
it is placed first in the bath 5 containing a solution of metallic salts, and the
current is allowed to flow through said bath for a time sufficient to thoroughly
impregnate the fabric with the salts of said solution. One end of the fabric is
then inserted between the belts 18 and 20 of section 9 and is fed forward between
said belts to the belts 18 and 20 of section 10, and thence between the drying
rolls 28, 29.
.
As the fabric passes through the apparatus, the electric current flows through
it in one direction in section 9 and in the opposite direction in section 10. in
this manner both surfaces of the fabric are similarly treated. The current as it
flows through the fabric apparently produces an oxide of the metal of the salts
with which the fabric is saturated and thereby renders the fabric waterproof.
The electrodes 18 and 20, are made from metal having a high degree of con-
ductivity and being preferably subject to a minimum amount of oxidation.
this purpose said electrodes are preferably formed of some alloy of copper such
For
as nickel bronze or aluminium bronze.
Before inserting the fabric between the electrodes or belts 18 and 20, any oxide
which may have formed on the said belts should be removed.
readily done by reversing the direction of the current passing through the belts
This may be
by means of the switch 36. The oxide driven from the belts in this manner is
deposited in the troughs 23. After passing the piece of cloth through the
apparatus, the current should be reversed, as above stated, and the plates freed
from oxide, but while the fabric is passing through the apparatus the current
should not be reversed.
The passage of the electric current through the bath 5, thoroughly distributes
the metallic salts through the fabric.
For fixing the dye in the fabric the apparatus is used substantially in the manner
above set forth, the metallic salts being applied to the fabric either with the
lye or added to the fabric by means of the bath 5, in the manner above described.
The electric current, acting upon the salts, has the effect of a mordant in making
he dye permanent.
In preparing the solution of salts for the bath 5, the colour of the goods to
be treated must be considered. For white goods, an aqueous solution of the
ulphate or chloride of some such metal as zinc that will produce a white oxide
may be used, while for dark goods a soluble salt of any metal such as iron that
will produce a dark oxide may be employed. For goods of other colours the
oluble salt of a suitable metal, such as will not change the colour, may be chosen
a accordance with well known colouring properties of metals.
By the term metallic salt or salts I mean to include all the chemical sub-
tances which are capable under electrolytic action of yielding an insoluble oxide
f a metal.
It is obvious that instead of using an apparatus comprising two sections as
escribed, in which the current traverses the fabric in opposite directions, one
ach section only may be employed and the fabric passed through it twice.
The apparatus may be modified without departing from my invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A method of treating fabric, which consists in impregnating the fabric with
a solution of a substance capable of yielding an insoluble oxide upon being sub-
jected to electrolytic action, and then passing an electric current through the
fabric, for the purposes specified.
2. The impregnation of fabric with a solution of a metallic salt or salts while
passing an electric current through the said solution, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
3. A method of treating fabric which consists in saturating it with a solution.
of a metallic salt or salts capable of yielding an insoluble oxide, while passing an
electric current through the said solution, and then passing an electric current
through the saturated fabric either in one or both directions, substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.
4. In apparatus for the treatment of fabric to water-proof it and fix the dye,
electrodes which permit the fabric to pass between them and to be at the same
time in contact with both of them, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In apparatus for the treatment of fabric to water-proof it and fix the dye,
endless belt electrodes between which the fabric is passed substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
6. Apparatus for the treatment of fabric having its parts constructed arranged
and adapted to operate substantially as described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings for the purposes specified.
Dated this 28th day of March 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant