AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS POR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS AND YARNS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS POR DYEING TEXTILE
FABRICS AND YARNS."-A communication from abroad by Louis
Gouchon, of Lisieux, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 22nd December 1868, and dated the 27th June 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition.
on the 27th June 1868.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office,"
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR DYEING
TEXTILE FABRICS AND YARNS," a communication, to be as follows:-
The said Invention relates to a method of for obviating the incon-
veniences and expense of the present system of dyeing textile fabrics

page_text: and for rendering the process of dyeing more expeditious and certain,
producing very much superior results both as regards uniformity of tint
and softness in the texture.
In practising my Invention I use a vat with a concave bottom in
which is arranged a wooden or metal cylinder moved by a wheel and
revolving more or less slowly as the nature of the material to be dyed
may require. I attach particular importance to a slow motion for
this cylinder, which may take from two or three to seven minutes for
each revolution according to the nature of the materials to be dyed, one
of my principle objects being to allow the time requisite to produce
oxidation. The dimensions of the said cylinder may be varied to any
desired extent, but in all cases where ebullition is required the diameter
ought not to be less than about seventy-eight inches, in order that
the pressure of the water may not be diminished, as on this principle
depends in a measure the efficiency of the operation. The cylinder
is divided inside into compartments which may be fixed or movable
according to the work to be done. In using some colors it is necessary.
to introduce the yarns or fabrics quickly into the cylinder, and to allow
this to be done the compartments should be movable. These com-
partments may be small cases of the required shape to fit the machine, and
made of perforated metal, the said compartments can then be filled before-
hand, and can be placed in or withdrawn from the cylinder as quickly as
required. The said compartments are closed by sheets of perforated
metal fastened in grooves made in the ribs of the machine. They are
moreover bordered with bands of metal for the purpose of keeping
them straight and preventing their moving during the operation of the
machine. In the perforated metal enclosing the outer circumference
of the cylinder doors are made to correspond with one or more com-
partments for the purpose of putting in and withdrawing the yarns or
fabrics. They form also on being opened a shelf or ledge which
receives the material and helps to throw it into baskets for the purpose
of removing it to the wash-house. The perforated metal forming the
bottom of each compartment is at such a distance from the centre
or axis of the cylinder that as the latter revolves the immersion is
complete and instantaneous.
For the purpose of heating my apparatus I employ a double bottom
or casing extending centrally the entire length of the bottom of the
vat. In this double bottom are placed two brass tubes or pipes com-

page_text: municating with a boiler or steam generator and perforated to give
passage to the steam; the double bottom itself is also perforated with
small holes in a vertical direction. These holes are conical so that
the water may be ejected more powerfully and by its force impart to
the materials or articles as they pass a slight rotary motion. The steam
is compressed by the weight of the water, and owing to the position
and size of the double bottom and the shape of the holes produces in
the bottom of the vat a much higher temperature than is obtained
by the means hitherto in use.
The chemical ingredients and substances used in dyeing according
to my system are the same as those commonly employed, but these
substances are developed to such a degree and brought to unite so
perfectly with the textile materials as to produce with small quantities
all the effects hitherto obtained with larger quantities.
In my improved system the material to be dyed is brought more
perfectly and more uniformly in contact with the dyeing liquid, which
may be used at a much greater degree of concentration than has
hitherto been practicable. The material impregnated with the dyeing
solution is subjected more surely, regularly, and constantly to the
influence of the air and consequently of the oxygen contained therein, so
as to hasten the chemical reactions of dyeing. I substitute for the slow,
irregular, and costly action of direct manual labour that of an automatic,
regular, and economical machine. The application of the dyeing solution
is made at the most suitable temperature, and only the necessary
quantity of the mordant and color is used. A great saving of fuel
is effected, because the operation of dyeing is completed with very great
rapidity compared with the time required by the means heretofore in
use, and what is of great importance, the flexibility and elasticity of
the fabrics is preserved while the loss of material occasioned by the
use of large quantities of the mordant and dye is obviated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 26th December 1868.

page_text: Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special licence
that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should. at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS AND
YARNS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings forming a part of this Specification:-
The said Invention relates to a method of obviating the inconveniences
and expense of the present system of dyeing and of rendering the
process more expeditious and certain, producing very much superior
results both as regards uniformity of tint and softness in the materials.
The Drawing is a perspective view of the apparatus employed in
practising my Invention.
I use a vat or cistern a with a concave bottom wherein is arranged 3
a wooden or metal cylinder 6 which by means of wheel gearing is caused
to revolve more or less slowly as the nature of the material to be dyed

page_text: may require. I attach particular importance to a slow motion for this
cylinder, which may take from two or three to seven minutes for each
revolution according to the nature of the materials to be dyed, one of
my principal objects being to allow sufficient time to produce oxidation.
The dimensions of the said cylinder may be varied to any desired extent,
but in all cases where ebullition is required the diameter ought not to
be less than about seventy-eight inches, in order that the pressure of the
water may not he diminished, as on this principle depends in a measure
the efficiency of the operation. The cylinder b is divided inside into
compartments, which may be fixed or movable according to the work to
be done. In using some colours it is necessary to introduce the material
quickly into the cylinder, and to allow this to be done the compartments
should be movable. These compartments may be small cases of the
required shape to fit the machine and made of perforated metal, the said
compartments can then be filled beforehand, and can be placed in or
withdrawn from the cylinder as quickly as required. The said com-
partments are closed by sheets of perforated metal fastened in grooves
made in the ribs of the machine. They are moreover bordered with
bands of metal for the purpose of keeping them straight and preventing
their moving during the operation of the machine. In the perforated
metal at the outer circumference of the cylinder doors c are made to
correspond with one or more compartments for the purpose of putting
in and withdrawing the material. They form also on being opened a
shelf or ledge which receives the material and helps to throw it into
baskets for the purpose of removing it to the wash-house. The per-
forated metal forming the bottom of each compartment is at such a
distance from the centre or axis d of the cylinder 6 that as the latter
revolves the immersion is complete and instantaneous.
For the purpose of heating my apparatus, I employ a double bottom
or casing extending centrally the entire length of the bottom of the vat
or cistern a. In this double bottom are placed two brass tubes or pipes
communicating by means of the pipes e with a boiler or steam generator
and perforated to give passage to the steam. The double bottom itself is
also perforated with small holes in a vertical direction. These holes are
conical so that the water may be ejected more powerfully and by its force
impart to the materials as they pass a slight rotary motion. The steam
being compressed by the weight of the water, and owing to the position
and size of the double bottom and the shape of the holes, produces in

page_text: the bottom of the vat a a much higher temperature than is obtained by
the means hitherto in use.
The chemical ingredients and substances used in dyeing according to
my system are the same as those commonly employed, but these sub-
stances are developed to such a degree and brought to unite so perfectly
with the material as to produce with small quantities all the effects
hitherto obtained with larger quantities. The wheel f on the axis or
shaft d is geared into the worm g, whose shaft g¹ carries at its other end
the fast and loose pulleys h, i. By changing the belt j from one to the
other of these pulleys the cylinder may be caused to rotate or stopped at
pleasure. Instead of the worm and wheel g and f, other suitable gearing
may be employed, but such gearing must be so arranged as to impart the
desired slow motion to the cylinder b.
In my improved system the material to be dyed is brought more.
perfectly and more uniformly in contact with the dyeing liquid at a
much greater degree of concentration than has hitherto been practicable.
The material impregnated with the dyeing solution is subjected more
surely, regularly, and constantly to the influence of the air, and con-
sequently of the oxygen contained therein, so as to hasten the chemical
reactions of dyeing. I substitute for the slow, irregular, and costly
action of direct manual labour that of an automatic, regular, and
economical machine. The application of the dyeing solution is made
at the most suitable temperature, and only the necessary quantity of
the mordant and color is used. A great saving of fuel is effected,
because the operation of dyeing is completed with very great rapidity
compared with the time required by the means heretofore in use, and
what is of great importance, the flexibility and elasticity of the fabrics
is preserved while the loss of material occasioned by the use of large
quantities of the mordant and dye and the long boiling is obviated.
Though my Invention is more especially designed for dyeing textile
materials, yet its use is obviously not limited thereto, but is applicable
to the dyeing of feathers, skins, wood, and other substances or articles.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim,-
First. Subjecting the articles or substances to be dyed to a process
whereby the oxygenation of the materials is effected in a continuous
automatic manner.

page_text: Second. Dyeing in an open vessel under the pressure of steam, sub-
stantially as set forth.
Third. The rotating cylinder b enclosed in the tank a, and constructed
and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
cight
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
THO. N. PALMER,
Clerk to Messrs. Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
8, Southampton Buildings,
W.C.