Improvements in Means for Steaming Fabrics.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 26th May, 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Steaming Fabrics.
We, JOHN THOMAS LISTER, of 235, Harkness Avenue, and ALBERT BRAY, of 5,
Franklin Court, both residing at the City of Cleveland, State of Ohio, United
States of America, Gentlemen, 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:-
The objects of our invention are to provide "improvements in means for
steaming fabrics," whereby all portions of the cloth under treatment will be
equally affected, without danger of over-heating or of discoloring any part, and
whereby the fabric may be rendered unshrinkable, practically incapable of being
spotted and may have additional lustre imparted to it.
To accomplish these objects we employ a perforated heating cylinder, with
the steam inlet and distributing devices, as hereinafter described, shown in the
accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section of the
device; Figure 2 is a similar view showing a vertically adjustable cone; Figure 3
is a perspective view showing the tool by means of which the upper cone is raised
or lowered, and Figure 4 shows a vertical central section of the simplest form of
the device.
In these figures, 1 is a cylinder formed of perforated metal, upon which the
cloth to be treated is wound, a thin stocking of woven material being first
stretched thereon.
The steam is introduced centrally into the cylinder through the tightly fitting
nozzle 3, from the portable boiler 4 below. The steam issuing from the nozzle
first passes into the cone 5, placed over the mouth of the cylinder, which prevents
its raising too quickly towards, and over-heating the upper end of the cylinder.
Openings 6, at the base of this cone, permit the final escape of the steam upward
into the cylinder.
From the upper extremity of the cylinder depends the inverted cone 7.
At the lower extremity of the cylinder a spreading conical sleeve connects the
cylinder with the top of the boiler. Openings 3 in the inner nozzle are employed
for the escape of the condensed steam, if this nozzle is extended into the cylinder
as shown in Figures 1 and 4.
In Figures 1 and 2 is seen a central steam inlet pipe 11, by means of which
steam can be introduced at the top of the cylinder as well as at the bottom and
connections can be made with pipes which in turn connect with steam heaters
or any other permanent steam apparatus. This pipe enters the cone 5, at the base
of the cylinder before discharging the steam, so that the steam distribution
is accomplished in precisely the same manner from whichever end of the appara-
tus the steam enters and the apices of the cones are always closed to the cylinder.
When the central steam inlet pipe is employed a cap is placed over the inner
nozzle 3, at 12, and when the steam is admitted through the nozzle 3, a cap is
screwed over the inlet pipe at 13.
The central tube 11, can be dispensed with entirely when it is desired to use

page_text: only a steam boiler attached to the lower end of the cylinder, as shown at Fig. 4
in the simplest form.
At Fig. 2, an additional condensing cone 14, is shown, which takes the steam
through perforations 15, in the lower cone 5, and returns it to the outer cylinder 1,
through perforations 21, in the outer cones. The advantage of this additional
device is found in the increased dryness of the steam obtained thereby, before it
enters the perforated cylinder 1.
An additional device is shown in Fig. 2, by means of which the upper cone
is made adjustable in the perforated cylinder, so as to limit the steam travel
in the cylinder to the width of the goods which are being treated, thus the upper
cone is brought down when the goods are narrower than the height of the
cylinder, and raised when the goods are of a width equal to the full width of the
cylinder so that no more steam need be used than will be necessary to treat the
goods. The movable cone is provided with a head 16, which moves up and
down the central tube 11, and stuffing boxes 17, and 18 are employed at the
outer and inner edges of the head 16. Only one cone is shown adjustable, but
either upper or lower cones can be made adjustable if desired.
A special tool is adapted to raise or lower the upper cone and head which is
done by hand. This consists of the lifting fork 19, provided with the graduated
stem 20, by ineans of which the head can be adjusted to the exact width of
the goods, and with the prongs at the lower extremity which are inserted in a
groove in the inner stuffing box 18, by which the head is lifted. The head is
a tight fit, and the packing at 17 and 18 retains it wherever placed.
The action of the device is as follows:
The steam is- first thrown downward by the closed top of the lower cone,
and thence rises and is thrown outwardly by the upper cone, the effect of which
is to deflect the steam which in a vertically placed cylinder would naturally
rise immediately to the top and heat the upper portion, to the exclusion of the
lower and central portions, and also to distribute the steam equally, and with
equal pressure, to all parts of the cylinder, thus treating all parts of the cloth
alike.
The apparatus is applicable to the treatment of all woolen and cotton goods,
silks, silk velvets, and all kinds of cloth that are liable to be spotted or to
shrink.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
-
1. The combination with a vertically placed perforated cylinder, of inwardly
pointed cone steam distributers secured to either extremity of the cylinder, the
said cones being closed at their pointed extremities and one of said cones being
provided with openings about its base, and a steam inlet nozzle in the base of
said cone, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with a vertically placed and perforated cylinder, of a steam
distributing device therein consisting of inwardly pointing cones at either
extremity, said cones being closed at their apices, and one of said cones being
provided with openings for steam inlet to the cylinder, a steam nozzle entering said
perforated cone and a support for the cylinder, substantially as described.
3. In a steaming device, the combination with a perforated cylinder, of steam
distributing cones at either extremity, a steam inlet nozzle in the lower cone, a
steam admission pipe entering the upper extremity of the cylinder and terminating
in the lower cone and a cap for the steam inlet nozzle adapted to close at either
end, the said lower cone being provided with perforations, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
4. In a steaming device the combination with a vertically placed perforated
cylinder, of inwardly pointing cones arranged one at either extremity thereof,
a steam nozzle inserted into the lower cone, steam passages leading to the

page_text: perforated cylinder from the lower cone, and means for vertically adjusting one
of said cones the cylinder substantially as described.
5. In a steaming device, the combination with a vertically placed perforated
cylinder of an upper cone pointing inwardly and vertically adjustable therein,
a cone at the lower extremity of the perforated cylinder perforated at its lower
extremity, a perforated condensing cone over said lower cone, and a steam inlet
nozzle beneath said lower cone substantially in the manner and for the purpose
hereinbefore described.
....
T
1
1000