IMPROVE- MENTS IN 'AIRING' TEXTILE FABRICS IN THE FINISHING PROCESS, AND MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREFOR
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Robertson, of Foxbar, near Paisley, in the
County of Renfrew, North Britain, Bleacher, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN 'AIRING' TEXTILE FABRICS IN THE FINISHING PROCESS, AND
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREFOR."
Sealed the 29th August 1879, and dated the 16th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Robertson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th June 1879.
MATTHEW ROBERTSON, of Foxbar, near Paisley, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Bleacher. "IMPROVEMENTS IN 'AIRING' TEXTILE FABRICS IN THE
FINISHING PROCESS, AND MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREFOR."
The said Invention relates to improvements in "airing" textile fabrics, such as
book muslins and the like after the starching process. As now practised this
airing" is effected by hand, the object of the said Invention is to effect the same
by machinery as hereinafter described, whereby a great saving of labour is effected,
and the said process of "airing" is carried out more satisfactorily and expeditiously
than hitherto.
The machinery or apparatus consists mainly of an arrangement for moving the
goods to be "aired" beneath, or in proximity to a fan, or fans, by which a gentle
current of air is created above, or about the goods. The arrangement for moving
the goods beneath the fans may take various forms, a convenient one consisting of
reels placed transversely of the apparatus, and at either end of the space beneath
the fans; endless tapes are passed over these reels and form a support for the goods,
the piece or pieces of which are placed upon the said tapes, any number of pieces
side by side. Motion of rotation is given to the reels so as to cause the tapes to
carry the goods forward under the fans, and by a suitable arrangement, such as a
clutch and cross belts from the driving shaft of the apparatus; this motion may be
reversed to carry the goods back again under the fans, and so on to and fro till
they are thoroughly "aired." Beneath or in the neighbourhood of the tapes there
are heating pipes fed with steam or hot air to give a proper temperature for the

page_text: process. A small fan or fans may also be below the goods if required. The goods
as they come from the action of the fans are folded by means of any suitable or
convenient arrangement of folder, such as a revolving bar, which is combined with
the apparatus, and which folds the pieces as they come from the tapes into a box so
placed, that it may be conveniently brought (when the pieces are folded therein) a
under a press which is combined with the apparatus, and this press causes the
starch which has been partially dried or thickened in the "airing" to penetrate the
fabric thoroughly. After this pressing operation, the pieces may be again sub-
mitted to the "airing" process until the goods are properly "aired."
The parts of the apparatus may all be driven by bands, or otherwise, from one
engine, and by means of clutches or the like; the press or the folder may be thrown
into or out of action as occasion requires.