IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANTRA COTIDE OF FELT
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Rhodes, Thomas Brown Rhodes, and Joseph
Roberts Stoney, all of Armley, near Leeds, in the County of York, for the
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE
MANTRA COTIDE OF FELT"
Sealed the 4th May 1877, and dated the 9th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Rhodes, Thomas
Brown Rhodes, and Joseph Roberts Stoney at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents on the 9th November 1876.
BENJAMIN RHODES, THOMAS BROWN RHODES, and JOSEPH ROBERTS STONEY, all of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR
Armley, near Leeds, in the County of York.
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT."
Our Invention has reference to the stiffening or hardening of the "bats" for the
purpose of producing felt.
"
In the hardening or stiffening of what is known as "bats," they are 'caused to
travel between pressing rollers, to which is imparted a lateral reciprocating in com-
bination with a rotary motion. The "bats are conducted between the rollers by
means of an endless sheet, which in the ordinary mode is moistened previous to the
"bats" being received on to it. by passing through a trough of water placed in a
suitable position below it. After this sheet has been used for a short time in
passing through the water, it takes up an insufficient supply of moisture on account
of it having absorbed a quantity of grease, and become smooth owing to the rubbing
and pressing operation caused by passing between the rollers; when this is the case
the endless sheet has to be renewed.
Now in the arrangement according to our Invention we may dispense with the
trough, and moisten the surface of the endless sheet by having a layer of felt or
other substance capable of absorbing water secured in a convenient position with
regard to the endless sheet, one side of which is in contact with the full width of it;
this is saturated with water to such an extent that a quantity of it passes evenly

page_text: on to the endless sheet previous to its receiving the "bats." Below the rollers is
provided the ordinary heating apparatus, which causes the water on the sheet to
evaporate and pass through the "bats" during the process of hardening or stiffening,
which prepares them for the pressing or felting process which they are undergoing.
The moist layer of felt or other substance may be kept supplied with water by
means of a perforated tube or its equivalent, and supplied from any suitable source.
In some cases, instead of the layer of felt or other substance we throw on to the
continuous or endless sheet a spray of water from any suitable source; or a brush or
roller supplied with water may be employed; or other equivalent means whereby an
even or proper distribution of water on the surface may be produced.
The endless sheet may be moistened in some cases by a steamer or dewing appa-
ratus.previous to receiving the "bats," which has the effect of imparting thereto the
required moisture; or the "bats" themselves may be moistened in a similar manner
to that described for the sheet.
By the above arrangements the endless sheet lasts a great deal longer, thus a
great saving of labour and time is obtained, also the expense of so frequently
renewing the sheet is avoided.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Rhodes, Thomas Brown Rhodes, and Joseph Roberts Stoney
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the Sth May 1877.
BENJAMIN RHODES, THOMAS BROWN RHODES, and JOSEPH ROBERTS STONEY, all of
Armley, near Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT."
Our Invention has reference to the stiffening or hardening of the "bats" for the
purpose of producing felt.
In the hardening or stiffening of what is known as "bats," they are caused to
travel between pressing rollers, to which is imparted a lateral reciprocating in com-
bination with a rotary motion. The "bats" are conducted between the rollers by
means of an endless sheet, which in the ordinary mode is moistened previous to the
"bats" being received on to it by passing through a trough of water placed in a
suitable position below it. After this sheet has been used for a short time in
passing through the water, it takes up an insufficient supply of moisture on account
of it having absorbed a quantity of grease, and become smooth owing to the rubbing
and pressing operation caused by passing between the rollers; when this is the case
the endless sheet has to be renewed.
Now in the arrangement according to our Invention, we may dispense with the
trough, and moisten the surface of the endless sheet by having a layer of felt or
other substance capable of absorbing water secured in a convenient position with
regard to the endless sheet, one side of which is in contact with the full width of it;
this is saturated with water to such an extent that a quantity of it passes evenly
on to the endless sheet previous to its receiving the "bats." Below the rollers is
provided the ordinary heating apparatus, which causes the water on the sheet, to
evaporate and pass through the "bats" during the process of hardening or stiffening,
which prepares them for the pressing or felting process which they are undergoing.
The moist layer of felt or other substance may be kept supplied with water by
means of a perforated tube or its equivalent, and supplied from any suitable source.
In some cases, instead of the layer of felt or other substance we throw on to the
continuous or endless sheet a spray of water from any suitable source; or a brush or
roller supplied with water may be employed; or other equivalent means whereby an
even or proper distribution of water on the surface may be produced.
The endless sheet may be moistened in some cases by a steamer or dewing appa-

page_text: ratus previous to receiving the "bats," which has the effect of imparting thereto the
required moisture; or the "bats" themselves may be moistened in a similar manner
to that described for the sheet.
By the above arrangements the endless sheet lasts a great deal longer; thus a
great saving of labour and time is obtained, also the expense of so frequently
renewing the sheet is avoided.
And in order that our Invention may be more completely understood, reference is
given to the accompanying Drawing and to the letters and marks thereon.
"
Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, a front elevation.
Figure 3, a side elevation of a modification of our Invention..
Figure 4, a side elevation of a further modification of the same.
Figure 5 is an enlarged section of moistening apparatus shewn at Figure 1.
The rollers are shewn at a, between which the "bats are caused to travel; b is
the endless sheet which is moistened; e is the original trough whereby the sheet b
was moistened, and which, when preferred, may be dispensed with; d is a layer of
felt or other similar substance, which is attached by means of the hooks e to the
angle iron f, this angle iron f being supported on the adjustable screws g, attached
to the framework h of the machine. Water is supplied to the layer of felt d by
means of the perforated tube i, which is also supported and made adjustable rela-
tively to the angle iron f. The water is supplied to the perforated pipe i from any
convenient source. By raising or lowering the angle iron f the position of the layer
of felt d or other substance is varied with respect to the rollers, and thereby the
flow of water on to it and the supply of water is regulated by a suitable stop-
cock j.
Figure 3 is a modification of our Invention. We provide a dewing apparatus,
which consists of the box K perforated or covered at the top with gauze. Steam
may be admitted at m, and the blast of cold air at n, which coming in contact with
the steam produces condensation, and by the pressure the spray is forced through
the perforated top and on to the endless sheet b, whereby a sufficient quantity
of moisture is taken up. By regulating the steam and the air admission any
required amount of dew may be given out.
A further modification is shewn at Figure 4, on which o is a roller covered with
felt or other material capable of absorbing water; this is mounted on suitable
bearings on the framework, and supplied with water from the perforated tube p,
which is also carried on the framework.
It will be readily understood that other equivalent means may be employed for
supplying and distributing the water and moistening the sheet, as, for instance, a
circular brush may be used instead of the roller o; or, in some cases, a plate of
metal may be used instead of the layer of felt d; in all cases, however, it will be
seen that a perfect control is obtained over the amount of moisture imparted to the
sheet b.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and shewn by Drawings
how the same may be carried into practice, we would have it understood that we do
not limit ourselves to the exact details or configuration of the various parts we have
explained and shewn, but what we do claim and desire to be secured to us by
Letters Patent is,-
First. The arrangement and application of the means or apparatus shewn at
Figures 1, 2, and 5, and mere modifications of the same, for moistening the endless
sheet b, substantially as herein set forth.
Second. The arrangement and application of the means or apparatus shewn at
Figure 3, and mere modifications of the same, for moistening the endless sheet b,
substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: Third. The arrangement and application of the means or apparatus shewn at
Figure 4, and mere modifications of the same, for moistening the endless sheet b,
substantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Brown Rhodes, for myself and on
behalf of the said Benjamin Rhodes and Joseph Roberts Stoney, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
THOMAS BROWN RHODES. (L.S.)