IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR STRETCHING AND DRYING TEXTILE FABRICS."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Keim, of Tharm, Alsace, Allemagne, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR STRETCHING AND DRYING TEXTILE
FABRICS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Keim at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th July 1876.
JOSEPH KELM, of Tharm, Alsace, Allemagne.
FOR STRETCHING AND DRYING TEXTILE FABRICS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
This Invention has reference to improvements in machinery used for stretching
and drying woven fabrics.
The improved machine consists of a pair of cast iron end stardards bolted
together by transverse rods and thus forming the framing of the machine. Within
these standards are arranged two cast-iron annular or internally toothed wheels
which are driven by pinions in conjunction with friction pulleys arranged radially
around the inner portion of the machine, the pinions deriving their motion from a
main horizontal shaft fitted beneath. Outside the annular wheels and parallel
thereto are fitted two circular guides, each of which is furnished with a series of
radially disposed brackets, which in their turn carry a small carriage or adjustable
sliding plate somewhat similar to the self-acting slide rest of a lathe, that is to say,
the carriages traverse to and from the axis of the machine in dovetail grooves formed
on the brackets. To the upper part of each carriage is fitted a bent plate which extends
inward and over the periphery of its contiguous annular wheel, and on the outer
surface of this plate is arranged the mechanical part by means of which the selvages
of the fabric to be stretched are pinched and held on either side whilst the gradually
diverging arrangement of the carriages beneath or around effect the required dis-
tension. The lateral movement of the carriages or sliding plates is effected by a
screw movement arranged beneath or within the radius of each carriage, the whole
being connected together by jointed rods so that the series may be actuated through-
out at will. This is effected by means of a horizontal shaft in gear with one of
the screws just referred to, the other end of the shaft extends beyond the framing
and terminates in a hand wheel under the control of the machinc attendant. The
Price BdI

page_text: series of tenters or stretching carriages may by the adjusting screw movements be
so arranged that the fabric is stretched between or by any given number of the
tenters, and in this mauner a series of two, three, or four inay form the stretching
series the rest being parallel to each other, or the whole series may be set gradually
divergent. The fabric is passed into the machine in a wet or damp state between
a pair of horizontal guide rollers, and by an automatic mechanical arrangement is
carried under the tenters or pincers around the periphery of the machine, and it
emerges at an opening arranged also with an automatic movement over a roller
fitted below the guide rollers before referred to, and thence to the winding beam.
Within the interior of the machine is fitted a hollow annular cylinder, the inner
part of which communicates by tubular radial arms with a central air shaft arranged
horizontally and communicating with a suitable air heating stove or furnace. By
these means the fabrics under operation are rapidly dried, and in this way textile
fabrics of all kinds whether thin or heavy may be stretched and finished in a rapid
economical and satisfactory manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Keim in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th January
1877.
JOSEPH KEIM, of Tharm, Alsace, Allemagne.
FOR STRETCHING AND DRYING TEXTILE FABRICS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
This Invention has reference to improvements in machinery used for stretching
woven fabrics.
The improved machine consists of a pair of cast-iron end standards bolted
together by transverse rods, and thus forming the framing of the machine. Within
these standards are arranged two cast-iron annular or internally toothed wheels
which are driven by pinions in conjunction with friction pulleys arranged radially
around the inner portion of the machine, the pinions deriving their motion from a
main horizontal shaft fitted beneath. Outside the annular wheels and parallel
thereto are fitted two circular guides, each of which is furnished with a series of
radially disposed brackets, which in their turn carry a small carriage or adjustable
sliding plate somewhat similar to the self-acting slide rest of a lathe, that is to say,
the carriages traverse to and from the axis of the machine in dovetail grooves
formed on the brackets. To the upper part of each carriage is fitted a bent plate
which extends inward and over the periphery of its contiguous annular wheel; and
on the outer surface of this plate is arranged the mechanical part by means of which
the selvages of the fabric to be stretched are pinched and held on either side whilst
the gradually diverging arrangement of the carriages beneath or around effect the
required distension. The lateral movement of the carriages or sliding plates is
effected by a screw movement arranged beneath or within the radius of cach
carriage, the whole being connected together by jointed rods so that the series may
be actuated throughout at will. This is effected by means of a horizontal shaft in
gear with one of the screws just referred to; the other end of the shaft extends
beyond the framing, and terminates in a hand wheel under the control of the
machine attendant. The series of tenters or stretching carriages may by the ad-
justing screw movements be so arranged that the fabric is stretched between or by
any given number of the tenters, and in this manner a series of two, three, or four
may form the stretching series, the rest being parallel to each other, or the whole
series may be set gradually divergent. The fabric is passed into the machine in a
wet or damp state between a pair of horizontal guide rollers, and by an automatic
mechanical arrangement is carried under the tenters or pincers around the periphery
of the machine, and it emerges at an opening arranged also with an automatic
movement over a roller fitted below the guide rollers before referred to, and thence

page_text: to the winding beam. Within the interior of the machine is fitted a hollow
annular cylinder, the inner part of which communicates by tubular radial arms
with a central air shaft arranged horizontally and communicating with a suitable
air-heating stove or furnace. By these means the fabrics under operation are
rapidly dried, and in this way textile fabrics of all kinds, whether thin or heavy,
may be stretched and finished in a rapid economical and satisfactory manner.
Hitherto stretchers have been used having chains with points or with nippers
which are liable to frequent ruptures. Now my nippers are fixed upon solid
pieces of cast iron replacing the chains of the old stretchers, which allows of a very
good division of the traction force in regard to the solidity of the machine and tho
possibility of stretching the heaviest fabrics, and to produce an amount of work
which no other form of stretcher can give. Besides, all kinds of woven fabrics may
be stretched, including.calico and other materials, as well as silk, which cannot be
done with the ordinary chain of points stretcher, because holes are made in the
selvages, and remain in the material.
In my Invention there is a lesser number of carriages admitting of easy regulation
commanding the pieces which support a series of nippers.
The stretcher may be put to its widening power with extreme facility by acting
on a single fly wheel which allows it to enlarge or diminish the width during the
working of the machine. These movements allow of the widening enlargement
of the fabric at the will of the operator, thus the fabric may be widened and then
shrunk from its entry into the machine till it leaves it; or it may be stretched from
its entry up to the second, third, or fourth carriage and be maintained at that width
there till it until leaves the machine.
The narrow annular space parallel to the fabric receives a supply of hot air which
is injected and passes through the pores of the stuff and drys it. This constitutes
an important improvement in this Invention dispensing with the steam plates and
drums usually employed. Or in place of this, a steam plate is arranged so as to
communicate heat to a supplementary drum contiguous to the latter or outgoing
portion of the machine, and so as to prevent the fabric from dropping at the centre.
And in order that my said Invention may be better understood and carried into
practical operation, I will now proceed to describe the same more in detail, referring
to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed in which the same letters in different
Figures represent the same part.
Figure 1 shows the fabric on the stretcher with expansion or enlargement between
the entry and the third carriage. Figure 2 represents the fabric on the stretcher and
distended from the point of entry to the seventh stretcher. Figure 3 is a sectional
elevation of the stretcher. Figure 4 is an end view of the machine.
The machine is composed of two annular rings of cast iron A fitted inside with a
rack driven by a pinion B and travelling on the rollers D, when the pinions B
impart to them a rotatory movement these rollers D fitted with their bearings are
fixed on the carriages E movable transversely with the object of being able to
regulate the width of the machine in accordance with the desired width of the fabrics
to be worked.
The carriages E are acted upon by the screws F, F, F having right and left handed
threads, they receive their motion from a system of endless screws G, having articu-
lated joints or any other suitable mode of transmitting motion. A shaft R fitted
with a fly wheel S, arranged convenient for the workman, serves for driving
simultaneously all the screws which extend or diminish the width of the stretchers
at the will of the operator. A graduated rule in inches and feet is fixed on a
carriage E and slides on the opposite carriage in a groove exactly, and this exactly
marks the opening in inches and feet of the stretcher at the entry of the stuff. The
carriages E slide on the transverse bars H which rest on the two principal frames
J and J on which they are firmly fitted so as to secure perfect support.
On the circular rings A are placed a certain number of small carriages K, each
carrying two roller guides L and L'. These roller guides follow the rotatory
movement imparted to the two rings A and comprise a series of articulated

page_text: segment guides M which are fixed at each articulation on the small supports N,
which allow of the regulation of the opening in relation to the rings A. Each of
these supports is fitted with a regulating screw N₁ which allows one or several of
the carriages to be brought nearer to each other or spread apart according as it
is desired to make the stretcher work. If a rotating movement is gen to the
rings A, all the little carriages K guided by their rollers follow exactly the seg-
mental guides M which, according to the speed given to them, will produce a trans-
verse lateral movement in the sense of enlarging or contracting. In uniting all
these carriages K by the articulated segments O which are furnished with the
nippers K or with pins these segments in their movement of rotation follow 1
exactly the path given to them by the guides M.
The entry of the stuff is effected at Q, at this moment the nippers are opened
automatically by reason of the disposition of the rollers W forming an inclined
frame and raising gradually the stems of the nippers till completely open. The
stuff engages itself at the lower part of the nippers at the moment when abandoning
the rollers, the nipper is sharply closed by the action of a spring, and the fabric is
caught by the two selvages, as is shewn in the Drawing in the side view, Figure 3,
K. The stuff being thus held follows the direction of the circumference of the
machine, the guides or segments M. being regulated to the degree of opening wished,
the guide rollers of the carriages K follow this road, and stretching the fabric in
maintaining it enlarged during the rest of the circumferential route up to the
moment of its leaving the machine.
The Figures 1 and 2 shew the developement of the tissue on the stretcher with
the position of the carriages in two different cases. In Figure 1 is shown the three
first carriages regulated to arrive at the maximum enlargement of the stuff at the
third carriage, from thence it continues without further enlargement till it leaves
the stetcher at the seventh carriage. In Figure 2 the enlargement is continued
throughout the series of carriages so that the maximum is only reached at carriage
No. 7, where the stuff leaves the machine. The carriages of the supports K. being
regulated at will, the total course of the enlargement may be varied at the will of
the operator.
Where the stuff leaves the machine there is an arrangement of rollers W₁ equal to
that of the entry of the piece which opens the nippers for the discharge of the stuff
which is then rolled on a beam P.
In the interior of the machine the rings A are united at Y by the circular sheet
iron plates with telescopic joints forming an annular surface parallel to the stuff.
In this space hot air is injected by means of different pipes in connection with a
central tube T into which is driven hot air from a heater by means of a fan or
other similar apparatus. In some cases thin plates heated by steam may be em-
ployed for drying the fabrics, and a suitable movement arranged for removing the
full beam and replacing it by another, and so continue the motion of the machine
with as little delay as possible.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and how the same is to
be performed I wish it to be understood that what I claim is-
1stly. The construction and use of the machine herein-before described for stretch-
ing, making ready, drying, and expanding fabrics of cotton, silk, wool, or other textile
materials, and in which machine nippers are fixed on pieces of cast iron replacing
the chains of stretchers now in use, and thus allowing of the stretching of the
heaviest fabrics, and wherein a small number of carriages easy of regulation control
the movable pieces which support the nippers.
2ndly. The arrangements for obtaining instantly a good opening by acting on a
single fly which allows of changing the size during the working of the machine.
3rdly. I claim the arrangements of machinery for allowing the stretching of the
fabric to be varied at will, that is to say, to divide that enlargement from its entry
to its discharge or to augment it only from its entry up to a third or fourth carriage
or in all other proportions of its development and to maintain that width through
the remainder of its development up to its exit or discharge.

page_text: 4thly. The arrangement in the machine for giving the annular narrow space
parallel with the fabric receiving the injected hot air which permeates through the
fabric and dries it.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Keim, have hereunto set my hand
and scal, this Eighth day of Jany., in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JOS. KEIM. (L.S.)