Improvements in Centrifugal Dyeing Machinery or Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Centrifugal Dyeing Machinery or Apparatus.
I, OSWALD GRUINE, of Uferstrasse 14, Görlitz, in the Empire of Germany,
Master Dyer, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is to say:-
This invention has for its object a simple and effective apparatus for dyeing
wool, a special feature of which is that the material treated with the dyeing
liquor is, directly after the completion of the dyeing process, freed as quickly
and completely as possible from all liquid, the latter being returned to the dyevat
or holder in order to be again used, whilst, moreover, the oxidation of the fixed
leuco-bases present is effected by a current of air which passes through the
material to be dyed..
The improved apparatus is especially advantageous in indigo dyeing, and offers
for this branch of dyeing very considerable advantages over the processes
ordinarily heretofore used.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of my invention, is
shown apparatus consisting essentially of a centrifugal machine, a pump, and
a vat or holder for receiving the dye liquid.
The centrifugal machine is so constructed that the lower bearing 1 of the
vertical revolving shaft W which carries the perforated drum K, can be raised
about one centimetre by means of the screw S and the lever H. Whilst the
dyeing process is going on, the drum K rests on the parts G of the outer case M
of the machine, an india-rubber ring being provided between them at the bottom.
At the centre of the drum K is a vertical perforated tube or cylinder R, which
by means of the screws and unions A¹ and A², can be connected with the pipe L.
The material is placed evenly in the drum K, which is closed with the cover F.
By means of suitable adjustable three-way cocks 1 and 2, it is possible to
force the dyestuff by means of the pump shown, in opposite directions alternately
through the wool. After this dyeing process has continued sufficiently long,
the action of the pump is suspended, and the pipe I closed. The liquid in the
centrifugal machine flows back through the pipe L' into the vat. A turn of
the hand wheel J suffices to raise the perforated drum K from the parts G of
the case M, so that the drum can be set in revolution. The liquid expelled by
centrifugal action flows back through the pipe L into the rat.
The current of air passed through the material by the centrifugal action
effects the oxidation of the fixed leuco-bases, and if necessary the dyeing process
may be repeated, or any further suitable treatment of the material may be used.
By means of the apparatus and method described, dyeing of very great uni-
formity and fastness is effected. Further advantages over the ordinary processes
are the following:-
1. Considerable saving of indigo. This saving can be proved by figures, as
for instance the following:--1000 1. in an average vat contain about 5 pounds
of pure indigo. In the dyeing process it is necessary to fill up the vat with dye,
at each operation about 50 1. of dyeing liquid remaining in the wool (about 50
pounds), which during the subsequent washing is separated and lost.

page_text: If the dyeing process be repeated ten times a day, about 20 pounds of pure
indigo will be used,-representing a loss of about 5001. of dyeing liquid, which
contains about 2½ lbs. of pure indigo, or 12 per cent. of the indigo used.
By the process and apparatus which form the subject of my present invention,
all loss of dyeing liquid, through the centrifugal drying, is prevented. A
considerably shorter washing is required, which contributes materially to the
success of the wool-dyeing operations.
2. Economy of steam or heating material results from the fact, that in the
improved process described only about 12001. of dyeing liquid are necessary,
whilst the quantity necessary for dyeing a like quantity of wool by the ordinary
hydrosulphite process is about 4000 1. (by the woad process, about 8000 1.).
Similarly, the improved process shows:-3. A saving of hydrosulphite, as the
consumption of the same is for the most part dependent upon the quantity of the
dyeing liquid.
Further, on account of the simple manipulation and working of the apparatus,
a considerable saving in labour, and more accurate results than have been hereto-
fore possible, result.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
A dyeing apparatus with an inner chamber or drum to receive the materials
to be dyed, and afterwards serving as a centrifugal drying machine, the drum
being so arranged that the passing of the dyeing liquid through the material
in the usual way is effected by apparatus which can be stopped when the dyeing
process is finished, and the drum can then be set in rapid revolution for removing
the dyeing liquid by centrifugal force, and passing a current of air through
the material, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 21st day of October 1899
EDWARDS & Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.