IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR WASHING, STEAMING, DYEING, AND FINISHING COTTON, LINEN, AND WOLLEN FABRICS
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
and COLIN MATHER, of Salford, Engineers, and FERDINAND KASELOWSKY, of
Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Second day of No-
.vember, One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in the fourteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said William and Colin Mather and Ferdinand Kaselowsky, our exors,
adñiors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that we, the said William and Colin Mather and Ferdinand
Kaselowsky, our exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
William and Colin Mather and Ferdinand Kaselowsky, our exors, admors, 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 expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
WASHING, STEAMING, DYEING, AND FINISHING COTTON, LINEN, AND WOLLEN
FABRICS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that we, the
said William and Colin Mather and Ferdinand Kaselowsky, or some or one
of us, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing

page_text: under our hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of some or one of us,
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, 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, we, the said
William and Colin Mather and Ferdinand Kaselowsky, do hereby declare
that the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is
to be performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the following
description thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
This Invention consists, firstly, in a peculiar combination of squeezing and
beating apparatus for washing goods by a regular succession of steeping,
rinsing, beating, and squeezing loose plies or folds of the same. The principal
advantages of this improved machine are, firstly, that the cloth in passing
through the machine is kept perfectly free from any tension; and, secondly,
that by regularly changing the plies or folds between the beaters, and succes-
sively steeping and rinsing the same, a more perfect washing is accomplished
than has hitherto been obtained...
Figure 1 represents an end view of the improved machinery; Figure 2, a
side view; and Figure 3, a vertical section. The letters refer to the same
parts in each of these Figures. a, a, are the principal parts of the framework,
on which is mounted the winch-b, with its fly wheel c. In one of the arms of
this fly wheel is fixed a stud d to receive end of the connecting rod e, which,
by means of the side plates e', e', is attached.to the lever and to, the piston
rod. g is a pawl carried upon a pin in the double lever f; taking into the
ratchet wheeh h, which is fixed to the axle of the hexagon block. I... J is a
block, having four sides; corresponding with the plains on the hexagon
block I. On each .end. of this block is fixed a plate j', shaped as shown in
Figures..1 and 3, to take into pins. or projecting parts of corresponding
plates attached to: the ends of the hexagon block I. It will be seen, that at
each revolution of the fly wheel. c.the. crank pin. and connecting rod e..will
lift the lever f and cause the hexagon block. I to turn one sixth, of a. revo:
lution, and also, by means of the pins. and plates. before described, cause, the
upper block J. to rise and fall, and at the same time to turn one fourth of a
revolution. Thus the flat surfaces of these blocks are successively brought
in contact. k, k, are. two rods, by which the upper block J is suspended.
t, t, are guide pins for. -conducting the cloth from the trough.r, r, to the
winch. u is a pressing roller, the parts u, u, of which rest on two.circular

page_text: parts b', b, of the winch b, as shown, for the purpose of taking in, squeezing,
and delivering the cloth. Motion is given to this machine either by means
of wheels or pulleys fixed to the 'end of the winch b; or such motion 'may be
obtained as shewn by means of a small steam cylinder 1 fitted with ordinary
pistón and valves. The piston rod is attached to the connecting rod e and
lever f, which, in connection with the side plates e¹, e', and radius rod 'm,
produce a parallel inotion. n is the rod, giving motion to the valves by
means of the eccentric o mounted on the shaft of the fly wheel c. p is, the
pipe for supplying steam from the boiler, and 7, 7, 7; is the pipe for conveying
the waste steam from the cylinder. This pipe is continued through, the
water trough r, r, and at its termination outside the trough is supplied with
a valve s, which is so constructed' as to close by its own weight. The cloth
intended to be washed is passed over the winch 6 and between the blocks I
and J, and into the water trough r; r. It will be seen by reference to
Figure 3, that when the machine is set in motion the winch b draws the cloth
out of the water trough r, r, and will by its greater speed throw the cloth in
folds on the upper side of the hexagon block I; and as each revolution of the
winch moves the hexagon block I in the direction of the arrows, the upper
block is brought, by 'means of the pins and plates already described, to
fall upon the folds of the cloth and force out the dirty or impure water:
Figure 4 represents a view of the cast-iron gudgeon plates fixed to the
ends of the block I. Figure 5 is a section of the same. These gudgeon
plates are secured to the wooden blocks or bowl ends by means of screws and
morticed nuts, and also by V or wedged shape concentric rings cast on the
plates, so as to be imbedded in the wood when screwed up tight. Such
gudgeon plates may be used on wood bowl ends for various purposes con-
nected with washing or finishing machinery. In using this machine the
pieces of cloth to be washed 'may either be introduced between one pair
of surfaces u', ', and then conducted spirally round the parts I and b,
until delivered from between the other pair of surfaces u¹, 'b1; the cloth
being guided in its movement by means of the pins t, t. Or the ends
of the pieces of fabric may be connected together so as for the time
being to form a series of endless bands, which would simply pass con-
tinuously round the parts I and b, till the required washing is effected,
the pins t serving to keep the different pieces separate from each other.
We would remark that, although we prefer the arrangement above de-
scribed, where beating and pressing or squeezing of the loose plies or folds of
fabric 'are obtained, we do not confine ourselves thereto, for a considerable part
of the benefits may be obtained without the beating, such as by using a pair

page_text: of pressing rollers moving at a slower surface speed than the apparatus which
delivers the fabrics thereto, and so that the fabric will accumulate in folds and
pass in folds through between the pressing rollers. The mode above explained
of forming gudgeon plates is applicable for the purpose of securing the ends
of other wooden rollers employed in washing and finishing machinery, in place
of keying such rollers on to shafts passed through them.
The second part of this improved machinery consists of an arrangement for
washing fabrics while in their full breadth by passing them through narrow
aperatures, through which a strong current of water is forced or caused to
flow. Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of this improved washing or streaming
machine; Figure 7 a transverse section; and Figure 8 plan or horizontal
view of the same. a, a, is a cistern provided with partitions b, b. c, c, are
rollers, over and under which the cloth passes in its full breadth, as shewn in
the Drawing, d, d, d, d, are plungers moved up and down by the levers e, c,
which are fixed to the shafts f, f. 9, 9, are levers fixed to the ends of the
shafts ff; and h, h, are rods connecting the eccentrics I, I, with arms g, g,
affixed to the shafts f, f. k is a shaft driven by pulleys or other suitable.
means, carrying the two eccentrics I, I.
It will be seen, by reference to
Figure 6, that when the shaft k revolves motion is given by means of the
eccentrics and levers before described to the plungers d, d, thereby causing
the water to flow through the narrow apertures 1, 1, 1, through which the
cloth passes. The apertures l, l, are faced with corrugated copper to cause
the stream of water to act on both sides of the cloth. m is a pipe for sup
plying the machine with water, which flows from one division of the trough to
the other in the direction of the arrows shewn in Figure 6, and escapes through
the opening n.
The third part of this improvement applies to the chambers used for
steaming printed goods, and consists in obtaining motive power from the
steam leaving such chamber for the purpose of moving the rollers or rails on
which the cloth is hanging while exposed to the steam. The most simple
form of apparatus we are acquainted with for this purpose is to apply a steam
pipe to convey the steam to a small engine arranged suitably for giving motion
to the rollers or rails on which the cloth hangs; the steam flowing from the
steaming chamber in place of going into the atmosphere, will thus work the
engine.
The fourth part of this improvement consists in a peculiar arrangement of
steam chests for the purpose of drying fabrics. The steam chests commonly
in use are placed flat alongside of each other, and the cloth is dried as it
passes principally by being in contact with the steam chests. In the improved

page_text: arrangement shewn in Figure 9 the steam chests a, a, are so constructed and.
placed as to form narrow flues or passages b, b, through which currents of
heated air are generated and caused to flow against the cloth. By this
means the drying is effected in less time and space.
The fifth part of our improvement consists of an improved finishing machine
to be worked by steam, as herein-after described, for obtaining the finish
hitherto produced by the chest mangle and beatling mill. The principal
advantages of this improved machinery are, firstly, that the pressure on the
cloth while mangling may be varied according to the finish wanted; secondly,
that it can be driven with much greater speed so as to turn off a greater.
quantity of work; thirdly, that it requires less room and power; and fourthly,
that it is so light and self contained as to admit of its being placed in an upper
story.
Figure 10 represents a front view of this improved finishing machinery.
Figure 11 a transverse section on the line A, B, Figure 10. Figure 12 is a
plan or horizontal view; and Figure 13 a transverse section on the line C, D.
Figure 10. a, a, are the principal parts of the framework resting on wooden
beams b, b. c is the stationary top table secured firmly to the frame a, a.
d is the moveable bottom table supported by the forked lever e, which rests on
the fulcrums f, f, and is raised and lowered at its end by the hydraulic ram g.
n is a recess in the end of the lever e, e, containing rings of vulcanized india:
rubber a, a, for the purpose of giving elasticity to the lever e. h is a traversing
plate moved in a horizontal direction by the steam piston rod i, i. k is the
steam cylinder supported by axles 1, l. m is the slide valve moved by any
ordinary means. The cloth to be finished is wound on the rollers G, G¹,
which are placed one under the traversing plate h, and the other above
it, as shewn in Figure 10. It will be seen that by forcing water into
the hydraulic cylinder and under the hydraulic ram g, the end of the
lever e is raised and bears up the bottom table d, thereby pressing the two
rollers G, G, between the top and bottom table and the traversing table h.
By giving motion to the traversing plate h, the rollers G, G', are caused to
roll forwards and backwards, the pressure being varied at pleasure according
to the finish required. In order to produce the finish hitherto given by the
beatling engines, the surfaces of the tables c and d, and of the traversing
plate h, which act on the cloth, are not to be plain, as above described, but are
to have projections resembling the butt ends of the beatles. These projections
form indentations in the roll of cloth, and produce the same effect as the blow
of the beatle.
We claim, firstly, the employment of revolving and falling beaters, with

page_text: suitable number of sides worked in the manner above described; and also
squeezing rollers in connection with winches or rollers, for the purpose of
exposing loose folds of cloth to the beating or squeezing operation for the
purpose of washing.
Secondly, we claim the manner of washing cloth in its full breadth, as
described, by passing the cloth through narrow apertures, through which
currents of water, are forced to flow.
Thirdly, we claim the application of a steam engine in combination with
and for moving the cloth in steam chambers, by the steam which escapes from
such chambers.
Fourthly, we claim the manner of constructing and arranging steam chests
or boxes for drying goods so as to form flues; for the purposes as described and
shewn by Figure 9.
Fifthly, we claim the combination of machinery for traversing a plate
between two rollers, on which the cloth to be finished is-wound, in connection
with two parallel tables which give the required pressure to the cloth; and also
the application of plates with projections on the surfaces for causing indenta-
tions, in the cloth while being so mangled.
And, lastly, in connection with washing and finishing machinery, we claim
the construction of cast-iron gudgeon plates to secure the ends of wooden
rollers, in the manner described and shewn in Figures 4 and 5.
In witness whereof, I, the said Colin Mather, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of April, One thousand eight hundred
and fift