Improvements in Machinery for Washing or Scouring Woven and Felted Fabrics.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 16th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 7th May, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Washing or Scouring Woven and
Felted Fabrics.
We, EZRA SYKES and EDWIN SYKES, of the Firm of John Sykes and Sons, of
Turnbridge Iron Works, Huddersfield, in the County of York, Machine Makers,
and ENOCH HEPPENSTALL, of Turnbridge aforesaid, Dyer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of our invention is to effect more perfect washing and scouring of the
fabrics and at a greatly increased speed. According to our invention we employ
in the washing or scouring vessel a pair of metal rollers covered with india-rubber.
The top squeezing roller is provided with springs and screws so as to regulate the
pressure upon the fabric passing between the said rollers. In combination with
these rollers, we employ another pair of nipping or squeezing rollers covered with
indiarubber but preferably of smaller diameter than those already described, but
at the same time they are caused to revolve at the same surface speed as the first
mentioned squeezing rollers, therefore on the fabric passing between the first
named squeezing rollers it is conducted between the second pair of smaller nipping
rollers and delivered at the same speed at which it is fed into the machine.
We combine with this machine two speed motions, the slower motion being
employed when the fabric is being first fed into the machine, and afterwards a
quick speed is imparted to the machine whereby the washing or scouring is greatly
accelerated. The mechanism for imparting two speeds to the machine may be
various, several mechanical equivalents being well known for accomplishing that
purpose.
Dated this 15th dor of Tunn 1907
Improvements in Machinery for Washing or Scouring Woven and
Felted Fabrics.
We, EZKA SYKES and EDWIN- SYKES, of the Firm of John Sykes and Sons, of
Turnbridge Iron Works, Huddersfield, in the County of York, Machine Makers,
Price 8d 1

page_text: and ENOCH HEPPENSTALL, of Prospect Dye Works, Turnbridge, Huddersfield afore-
said, 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:-
The object of our invention is to effect more perfect washing and scouring of the
fabrics and at a greatly increased speed. According to our invention we employ
in the washing or scouring vessel a pair of metal rollers covered with india-rubber.
The top squeezing roller is provided with springs and screws so as to regulate the
pressure upon the fabric passing between the said rollers. In combination with
these rollers, we employ another pair of nipping or squeezing rollers covered with
india rubber but preferably of smaller diameter than those already described, but
at the same time they are caused to revolve at the same surface speed as the first
mentioned squeezing rollers, therefore on the fabric passing between the first
named squeezing rollers it is conducted between the second pair of smaller nipping
rollers and delivered at the same speed at which it, is fed into the machine.
In order that our said invention may be fully understood, reference is hereafter
had to the annexed sheet of drawings forming a part of this specification in
which: :-
Fig. 1 is sectional side elevation of so much of a washing and scouring machine
as is essential to shew thereto the application of our improvements, and Fig. 2
is back elevation of a portion of same.
Referring to the drawings, letter a represents the framing of the machine, & the
main driving shaft, and c and d the pair of metal nipping or squeezing rollers for
squeezing the fabric. These rollers are covered with india rubber, the former
being mounted on the main driving shaft b. The pressure of the top roller d
upon the fabric passing between said rollers c and d is regulated by screws e and
springs f. In combination with the rollers c, d, we add to the machine another
pair of nipping or squeezing rollers g, h, covered with india rubber and preferably
of smaller diameter than the rollers c, d. The shaft b is driven from an overhead
shaft by a strap passing around a step or cone pulley i, on said overhead shaft, and
also around a fast pulley jon shaft b, the shifting of the strap from the larger to
the smaller diameter of pulley i or vice versa giving the change of speed required
to traverse the fabric into and through the machine. k and on main shaft b are
loose pulleys on to either of which the driving strap is moved to stop the machine.
The rotary motion given to the roller c from shaft b drives the upper roller d
either by frictional contact or by toothed gearing, as preferred, and by means of a
istrap m, motion is conveyed from a pulley on shaft to a pulley on the shaft of
roller g whereby the latter, though of smaller diameter than rollers c, d, is driven
at the same surface speed. The roller h is driven from roller g by a rope or cord n
which passes around grooved pulleys on the ends of said rollers, over a fixed grooved
guide pulley o and then under a guide and tension pulley p, which keeps the rope
or cord tight and in proper tension. The roller 9 is fixed in its position, but the
roller his mounted in suitable bearings, and is self adjusting and forced up to and
maintained against the roller g by spiral springs q.
The fabric, represented by letter r, after passing between the rollers c, d, is
conducted over roller g and between said roller and its companion roller h which
deliver it at the same speed at which it is fed into and through the machine.
In combining the rollers g, h, with rollers c, d, the fabric is traversed positively,
through the machine, and all liability of its rising and striking against the top
or rear of the machine as frequently happens when a single roller is employed, ís
avoided.
We may employ instead of step or cone pulleys, other equivalent and well-
known mechanism for imparting two speeds to the machine, the slower speed being
intended to be used when the machine is first started, and the quicker speed to
be used when the machine has got nicely going, consequently the process of
washing and scouring is more quickly performed.

page_text: 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:
1, In washing and scouring machines, the combination of the two pairs of
rollers c, d, and g, h, arranged and acting in the manner and for the purposes
substantially as herein shewn and described.
2, In washing and scouring machines the employment of a pair of squeezing
rollers cd, in combination with a pair of rollers g, h, of smaller diameter, but all
arranged to revolve at the same surface speed as herein described.
3, In washing and scouring machines, the combination of two pairs of nipping
or squeezing rollers c, d, and g, h, and means for imparting two speeds to the
machine, substantially as herein set forth.