Improvements in the Process and Apparatus for Treating Slivers, Rovings, Yarns, Fabrics, and other Textile Materials for Scouring, Bleaching, Dyeing, and like purposes, and in the Manufacture of Colored Tops and Slivers.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process and Apparatus for Treating Slivers,
Rovings, Yarns, Fabrics, and other Textile Materials for Scouring,
Bleaching, Dyeing, and like purposes, and in the Manufacture of
Colored Tops and Slivers.
I EMILE MAERTENS of Narragansett Hotel Providence in the State of Rhode
Island United States of America Manufacturer 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 :-
In the mechanical treatment of textile fibers during the past few years, but more
particularly such operations or processes as have special reference to bleaching or
dyeing sliver, roving and yarn, the results have generally indicated to the operator
or experimenter the desirability of so arranging the several operations that they
may be easily and quickly effected, thereby not only materially increasing the
output during a given length of time but at the same time being less wasteful of the
treating agents; moreover, the cost of labor incident to such operations may be
also reduced if the apparatus be made sufficiently compact and accessible. From
this it can be safely asserted that the product would be more evenly treated and
present a smoother appearance because it receives less handling.
My present invention relates to apparatus or machinery of the class just referred
to, that is apparatus adapted to chemically treat textile fibers in any form, as for
example, sliver, roving and yarn, or even the raw material or cloth, when placed in
or wound upon perforated or porous holders. After being thus mounted the
chemical or treating agents, in a liquid form are passed through the mass of material
mounted upon the holder. My invention also comprises an improvement in the
manufacture of colored tops or slivers from combed animal fibers.
I would state, as indicated in the preceding paragraph, I am aware that textile
materials mounted upon perforated holders have been treated with liquids in both
open and closed kiers, and that such liquids have been circulated through the
materials; also that a minus as well as a plus pressure have been employed in
inechanisms of this character, and further that means have been provided for
returning the treating liquids to the storage tanks.
The object I have in view is to provide an apparatus with means whereby textile
fibers in various forms may be scoured, bleached, dyed, dried or otherwise treated
in large or small quantities without waste of dye stuffs or other treating materials.
To that end my invention consists, essentially, of apparatus or inachinery for
treating fibrous materials mounted upon perforated or porous holders. It also
consists in winding a combed and twisted sliver upon a suitable holder, then dyeing
or chemically treating the thus mounted sliver and drying it. The construction
and arrangement of the several parts of the apparatus and the manner of operating
the same are more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.
Some of the characteristic features possessed by my improved apparatus are as
follows, viz.: It is comparatively simple in its construction and manner of operation;
its capacity for treating fibrous material is very great as compared with the space
occupied; the materials thus operated upon are treated with thoroughness and
uniformity; samples of the material being operated upon may be readily exposed
and inspected without interrupting the general operation; the facility for using
treating liquids of any desired degree of solution, and either cold, warm or boiling;
its provision for increasing and diminishing the temperature of the liquid at will;
the absence of steam or vapor and surface water usually heretofore inherent in dye
houses; the treatment of the materials without rehandling while the latter is being
subjected to either scouring, bleaching, mordanting, dyeing or other liquids, either

page_text: oxydizable or non-oxydizable, the readiness with which a circulation of either cold
or warm air may be substituted for the liquids for oxydizing or drying purposes,
and the comparatively small amount of manual labor required in the treatment of
a large volume of material or output.
In order to clearly set forth my improvements I have prepared the accompanying
16 sheets of drawings, which not only represent the apparatus complete as in use,
together with a modification of the same, but also the several parts more in detail,
that is to say,
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a front elevation showing the complete apparatus in duplex
form.
Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a side elevation, taken through the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, Sheet 3, is a plan view of the same, showing also a manner of arranging
the overhead piping.
Fig. 4, Sheet 4, is a plan view, showing the arrangement of the bottom piping
underneath the kiers, etc.
Fig. 5, Sheet 5, is a plan view in reduced scale, showing the general arrangement
of the apparatus, combined with the series of tanks or reservoirs from which the
kiers are supplied.
Fig. 6, Sheet 6, is a vertical sectional view, enlarged, taken through the centre
of a kier; Fig. 7, is a horizontal sectional view of the kier, taken on line of
Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the kier-heads; Fig. 9. is an enlarged vertical
sectional view, taken on line mm of Fig. 6, showing the d'scharge valve.
Fig. 10, Sheet 7, is a front elevation of the 4-way valve, or valve and chamber
from which the liquids are automatically and intermittingly distributed; Fig. 11 is
a longitudinal sectional view taken on line a a of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a transverse
sectional view, taken on line x x of Fig. 11; Fig. 13, is a partial front sectional
view, taken on line o o of Fig. 11.
Fig. 14, Sheet 8, is a side elevation, in partial section showing the heater com-
plete; Fig. 15 is an inverted horizontal sectional view, taken on line x x of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is a plan view of the heater.
Figs. 17, 18 and 19, Sheet 9, are longitudinal sectional views of the perforated
spools or holders adapted to receive and retain the fibrous material while the latter
is being subjected to the several treating operations; Fig. 20 is an enlarged view,
showing an arrangement of the perforations formed in the spool's barrel; Fig. 21 is
an enlarged vertical central sectional view, taken through the lower end of the
spool, showing the manner of mounting it in sockets screwed into the bottom of the
kier; Fig. 22 is a plan view of the socket.
Fig. 23,-Sheet 10, is a partial sectional view of the kier, showing the testing or
sampling valve mounted therein, as in use; Fig. 24 is a side elevation of the testing
valve, enlarged; Fig. 25 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof; Fig. 20
is a side view, showing the parts in the working position, the sleeve being dropped;
Fig. 27 is a side view, in reduced scale, showing the filled main spool provided
with a supplemental small spool or bobbin at the top from which the material to
be sampled is taken; Fig. 28 is an enlarged side view of the supplemental spool
and load wound thereon.
Fig. 29, Sheet 11, is a central sectional view of the dye-liquor tank, dye-filter,
pump, etc., connected by piping, as in use; Fig. 30 is a partial plan view of the
spider adapted to be located in the bottom of the tank Fig. 31 is an enlarged
sectional view, taken through the bottom portion of the dye-liquor tank.
Fig. 32, Sheet 12, is a side elevation representing a modification of my apparatus
which in some cases can be as readily employed for the treatment of fibrous
materials, the kiers may be used open or closed; Fig. 33 is a partial front elevation
showing some of the piping therefor.
Fig. 34, Sheet 13, is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 32; Fig. 35 is
a plan view of the inlet piping.
Fig. 36, Sheet 14, is a vertical sectional view, in partial elevation, taken on
lino of Fig. 34.

page_text: Fig. 37, Sheet 15, is a side elevation of a twisted combed sliver made from
animal fibers; Fig. 38 is a side elevation, in reduced scale, in partial section,
showing a manner of winding said sliver upon a perforated spool or holder
preparatory to chemically treating it; Fig. 39 is a side elevation, in partial section,
showing mechanism for untwisting the treated and dried sliver and winding it upon
a spool or bobbin; Fig. 4) is a similar view, showing a manner of unwinding the
treated sliver from the holder and at the same time untwisting it into a revolving
can; Fig. 41 is a side elevation, also in partial section, showing a manner of
combining two or more of the treated and untwisted slivers and drawing the
resulting sliver in a twisted form upon a bobbin.
Fig. 42, Sheet 16, is a side elevation similar to that last described, showing
two or more of the untwisted slivers combined and passing through a gill-box from
whence it is wound upon a bobbin ; Fig. 43 represents the same as Fig. 42, except
that the resulting sliver is delivered into a can, and Fig. 44 represents the slivers
produced by the mechanisms shown in Figs. 42 and 43, balled into a top.
In the following description I shall so far as possible describe the details of the
apparatus represented in the numerical order of the drawings. It is assumed
that the functions of an engine, pump, valves, blower, heater and tanks are in
general well understood, therefore I do not deem it necessary in this Specification
to particularly describe their manner of operation, except where an arrangement of
the parts produces results which differ in some respects from the usual practice.
I would further state that my improved apparatus may be adapted to one kier
only, but such an arrangement is in general not so desirable as a system involving
the employment of two or more kiers, because in the latter case the relative cost
of the machinery, the space occupied by it and the time required to complete
In the
the treatment of the materials is less than that where one kier is in use.
drawings I have represented a duplex system, or rather a system in which two
treating kiers are used.
The first five sheets of drawings represent my improved system and apparatus
as a whole when in use.
The two vertical main kiers 1 arranged as shown in the drawings are adapted
to receive the fibrous materials to be treated through doors 2 formed in the walls
of the kiers. The kiers are in communication with the rotary or centrifugal
pump 7 both at their top and bottom inlets through the medium of the 4-way valve
or automatic distributor (hereinafter more fully described) placed above the pump's
outlet. The upper main branch piping 10 and its connections lead from said
distributor to the top outlet of the kiers, and the lower main branch piping 9 aud
its connections lead from the distributor to the bottom outlet of the kiers. The
top piping 23 serves to connect the distributor with the heater or reservoir 8, the
latter being in one sense a continuation of the pipe 23 and discharges into the lower
pipes 24 and 21, via the valve 24. The discharge from the pump 7 enters the
distributor through the cross 22 and valve 22".
The suction end 21 of the pump connects with one of the main lower pipes 21,
and the pump is operated by a motor or engine 26. The pump is provided with
a relief valve 20 located in the discharge connections. The overflow or surcharge
passes through said valve (when it opens) downwardly into the pipe 19 back to
the main 21.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a manifold 27 is connected by stop-valves with a
series of supply pipes leading from the cold-water, hot-water, mordant and logwood
tanks, c, h, m and 1, respectively. The discharge from the pump may be conducted
to the several tanks by opening the valve 25 the liquid then passing through
pipe 25 into the manifold from whence it flows to the desired tank by simply
opening the corresponding valve.
The bottom outlets of the kiers communicate with the sewer by means of
pipes 13, 11, and the interposed valves 11. Said outlets also communicate with
the reservoir or indigo-tank i by means of piping 13, 12, and stop-valves 12ª and iª,

page_text: These kiers may discharge into the main 24 communicating with the heater, etc., by
means of the piping 9 and valves 9* and 24ª.
The top inlets of the kiers communicate with the pressure blower 28, through
piping 14, 14, air-chambers or headers 14" and valves 14. The air-chambers are
in communication with an ejector e (Fig. 1) by means of the piping 15, 15, and
valves 15, 15°. By opening the lower valve 15, the valves 15, 15, being also
open, the kiers may be exhausted without passing through the ejector.
30, Fig. 3, indicates the dye-tank, and 29 the pump for discharging the
concentrated treating liquid into the heater 8 through pipe 29 and valve 29.
The valved pipe 21 drains the main 21 and all piping below the tees 13 into the
sewer. The valved pipe 27 drains the manifold into the sewer.
The two main kiers 1 are provided each with a thermometer 4 for indicating the
temperature of the interior of the kier; a water-glass gauge 3 to show the height
of liquid in the kier; a pressure gauge 5 communicating with the lower chamber
of the kier; a similar gauge 5 communicating with the upper chamber, and a
vacuum gauge also connected with said chamber. The kiers are further
provided with a testing-valve 31 and a relief-valve 18" discharging into heater 8 via
pipe 18.
The cross 22 (Fig. 1) carries a gauge p for indicating the pressure under which
the pump 7 delivers the liquor. It also carries an air-chamber 22.
The heater 8 is provided with a water-glass 8; a valved pipe 8 for admitting
steam to the coils, and a similar pipe 8b for letting water into the coils when desired.
It is further provided with an air inlet at 8 and an outlet to the atmosphere at 8ª.
At the bottom a pipe 8° leads the exhaust or drip from the coils to the sewer.
The
lower valved connection 29" admits concentrated treating liquor from the pipe 29*,
and a similar connection 8ª admits live steam.
Referring now more particularly to the construction of the kiers 1, as represented
on Sheet 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that 6 indicates the stiffened upper head
aud 6 the lower head of cast metal; the shell itself being of wrought metal riveted
to the heads. The kier is provided with legs 6b resting upon the floor. The upper
head has a main central opening 6° communicating with the main piping 10, 14,
and 14, and also with a series of pipes 6 radiating therefrom and cast into the
head; each pipe opening into the kier chamber by means of the series of small
holes 6. These pipes and holes are arranged in this manner in order to ensure a
more uniform distribution of the liquid charges over the entire surface of the kier.
The lower head 6* is also provided, like the upper one, with a central opening and
apertured radiating pipes. The lower head has, however, in addition a chamber 6*
communicating directly with the several outlets 6', as clearly shown in Fig. 6.
The upper face or wall 6' of the bottom head is perforated with a series of holes 6
into which are fixed a corresponding number of sockets 32 (Fig. 21) arranged to
receive the spools or holders 33. The communication between the chamber 6
and the interior of the kier when in use is through the holders mounted in said
sockets.
The bottom head is provided with a valve 34 for quickly emptying the kier when
desired; the valve being operated by the hand-wheel 34 secured to the lower end
of the valve-stem 34, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. The two heads of the kier are
connected by the strong central bolt or stay b. In kiers of large size I prefer to
provide them with two doors 2, oppositely located. It is through these doors that
the kier is loaded and unloaded. It will be noticed that a sainpling-valve 31 is
mounted in the upper head of the kier. One or more of these valves may be
used; a more detailed description thereof being hereinafter found.
In Sheet 7 of the drawings I have represented an automatic distributor 35, or
4-way valve, adapted in use, after the kiers fare filled with the treating liquid, to
turn the latter through the materials in opposite directions intermittingly and
alternately; that is, the action of the pump 7 through the automatic distributor
'causes a circulation in one direction by forcing the liquid through the materials for

page_text: a certain period of time; the position of the valve is then automatically changed,
thereby reversing the circulation, the result being to force the liquid in the opposite
direction through the materials a corresponding length of time; the operation being
thus continued as long as desired or necessary to complete the treatment.
The distributor is provided with a chamber 35 having four nozzles n, n², n², n³
communicating therewith arranged in the form of a cross, sec Fig. 12. The
nozzle » is connected with the discharge pipe leading from the pump. The
nozzle n connects with the heater 8, the latter being in direct connection with the
suction side of the pump. As drawn the nozzle n¹ connects with the bottom of
the kiers, and the nozzle with the top. Within the valve chamber 35* is fitted
the valve proper or movable wing 36 which divides the chamber longitudinally.
The valve is secured to the shaft or stem 36". The front and back heads or
covers, 37, 37, respectively, are bored out and serve as bearings for the valve and
stem. The front head is provided with a hub on which the worm-wheel or disk 38
is loosely mounted. A common stuffing-box 39 is employed to prevent leakage
around the valve-stem.
The disk is provided with a peripheral notch 38° adjacent to which is secured a
toothed segment 38%. At one side, the left, of the disk is mounted in the frame 40*,
a pinion 40, a cam 39b and crank-disk 39, the three parts last named being loosely
mounted upon the stud 39*. A connection 39 is jointed to the crank-disk and to
the valve-arm 39. By means of a continuously revolving sprocket wheel w³ and
worm w secured to the shaft the loosely mounted disk 38 is revolved
correspondingly; the latter being tied to make one turn, say, in two minutes.
The segment 38 and pinion 40 are so proportioned and arranged that the
latter is revolved one-half turn per revolution of 38 by the engagement of the
teeth, such movement of the pinion causing the valve 36 to change its position,
(see full line and dotted line positions Fig. 12) the change being effected in
about seven seconds. While such change is being made the end of the cam 39
revolves freely in the notch 38, as in Fig. 13, but immediately thereafter the
continued movement of the parts causes the adjacent concave side 39° of the
cam to engage the disk's periphery, thereby as it were locking the valve in position
until the next change is effected; Fig. 10 shows the relation of the parts when thus
locked. In these several figures the valve for the time being is represented as
distributing or circulating the treating liquid (as it comes upwardly through
the valve 22" from the pump 7) into the bottom of the kiers from whence it
passes under pressure upwardly through the perforated holders and the material
or load mounted thereon and thence out at the top of the kiers; the liquid
issuing from the latter passes to the distributor valve chamber 35" via the
pipes 14, 10, 10, whence it is diverted into the top of the heater 8 vit pipe 23,
thence downwardly through the heater and valve 24 into the pipes 24 and 21,
and from the latter upwardly into the suction side 21 of the pump, thus
completing the circuit in one direction. When the valve 36 stands in the
dotted-line position (Fig. 12) the circulation is reversed, that is, the liquid then
enters the top of the kiers and passes out at the bottom, meanwhile passing
through the materials and perforated holders. In both cases the liquid first
enters the distributor through the valve 22 connected with the delivery side of
the pump. The discharge from the kiera being always into the pipe 23, or top
of heater. I would state that the pointer a, Fig. 10, indicates to the operator
the direction of the circulation; that is when pointing downwardly it shows
that the liquid is passing into the bottom of the kiers, and when in the upper
position it indicates that the flow is into the top. The wing or valve 36 is
made narrow, (its thickness being less than the diameter of the passage across
which it moves) because for a short time after it leaves its seat in moving to
the other position the four nozzles are in communication with each other, thus
allowing the several differently flowing currents to neutralize each other gradually
preparatory to changing their direction and thus avoid the shock or strain, such

page_text: as would be due to a more rapid reversal resulting in the meeting of large
bodies of liquors moving swiftly in different directions.
The heater & before referred to is located in the circulation in such manner
between the pump and kiers that it also serves as an auxiliary reservoir wherein
the treating liquor may be either heated, cooled, oxydized or diluted with dye- 5
stuffs or other treating agents according to the requirements of the materials
being acted upon within the kiers. The heater is represented more in detail in
Figs. 14, 15 and 16, wherein the vertical shell is rivetted to the upper and
lower heads. The heater chamber is partly filled with a series of pipe coils 41,
each being connected with the top and bottom headers 41*. Steam and water 1
pipes 8, 8, unite in a tee 41' at the top and extend downwardly therefrom into
the upper header; the exhaust or waste from the coils passes into the bottom
header and from thence into the pipe 8°. When in use the treating liquor
enters at the top of the heater through pipe 23 and after circulating around
the exterior of the coils returns to the pump through the bottom valve 24ª, etc., 1
as before stated.
The valved pipe 8* admits exhaust steam to the coils for heating purposes, and the
pipe 8 is employed to admit water for cooling purposes. The valved pipe 8° serves
to conduct air from a blower to the heater for oxydizing purposes, and the pipe 84
is used for the escape of air and gases from the heater. 8 indicates a safety or
relief valve. The valve or pipe 29 introduces concentrated treating-liquor at the
bottom which is diluted with the liquor in the heater, and the pipe 8 serves to
admit live steam into the heater when desired, as for example when exhaust steam
is not available or sufficient in pressure. The pipe 18 is for conducting the waste
liquor or overflow from the kiers into the heater whenever the relief valves 18" 2
open. I would add that in practice I usually prefer the average level of the liquor
within the heater to stand about on the dotted line o o, Fig. 14, thus leaving an air
space at the top which acts as a cushion and in a measure relieves the piping
system from excessive strains; although in some cases when the pressure of air
would be injurious the air space is omitted and the entire system filled with
treating liquid.
Into the holes f³ formed in the bottom of the kiers are screwed sockets 32 arranged
in turn to receive the lower open ends (Figs. 17 to 21) of the perforated
holders 33. These holders consist each of a central laterally perforated tube d, the
upper and lower heads 33, 33°, and the perforated shell or cylinder 33* fitting
into the adjacent faces of said heads. The tube d is, as drawn, screwed into the
lower head and extends through the upper head, being surmounted by a cap-nut d³,
thereby firmly clamping the several parts together. It will be observed, referring
more particularly to Figs. 21, 22, that the head 33° of the holder is provided with
a downwardly extending loop or eye adapted to receive an end of the curved
pin forming a part of the socket piece 32. By this device the holder is
detachably secured to the bottom of the kier upon turning the holder axially in
either direction until it receives the corresponding end of the pin b'. I prefer to
make the barrel portion 33" of the holders of sheet-metal tubes, the holes or
perforations being subsequently punched therein. Fig. 20 shows a portion of the
tube's surface provided with holes. I also preferably make said holders or
perforated spools, comparatively large, or long, so as to carry say some six to ten
pounds of fibrous materials when loosely wound or wrapped thinly thereon; the
broken line m², Fig. 17, indicates the outline of a filled holder.
In some cases it may be desirable to use shorter spools, in which event they may
be constructed and arranged as shown in Fig. 19, wherein three holders 33 are
mounted upon the laterally perforated central tube d; the cap-nut d² serving to
firmly retain them in place thereon. A loose collar d' is interposed between the
ends of adjacent holders, all as clearly shown. In Fig. 18 the top head 33b is
represented as having the end of the tube d screwed into it; the head being
provided with a projecting screw-threaded central outlet d' sealed by the

page_text: "
cap-nut This arrangement, however, is more particularly adapted to receive
a test-spool about to be described, and illustrated by the next succeeding sheet of
drawings.
The sampling or testing valve 31 screwed into the top head of the kier is
represented in detail in Figs. 23 to 26. It consists essentially of a head or body
portion 31 composed of two parts screwed together, and the vertically guided
piston backed by a spring s. The lower portion of said body is provided with a
central hole adapted in use to communicate with the interior of the kier. The
upper end of the hole is reduced in diameter but being of sufficient size for the
passage of an end of the material t being treated. The lower end of the piston is
faced with rubber for other suitable elastic substance, thus forming what may
be considered a valve for closing the outlet . A sleeve is fitted to slide up
and down over the upper portion of the head; a stop s' serves to prevent the sleeve
from being accidentally removed. This sleeve when in use is dropped, as shown in
Figs. 23 and 26, thereby preventing the liquid from flying upward from the kier
when the valve is open.
°
By means of the arrangement just described samples of the material t being
treated may be taken from the kier at any time without interrupting the main
operation. When yarn is to be dyed or treated on holders 33 the end of the thread
may be first taken from one of them and run upwardly through the sampling valve
and guide g³, as shown in Fig. 23. Now when a sample is to be taken the operator
first lifts the valve by means of the supported cord f, followed by drawing out a
sufficient length of the yarn t; the valve automatically returning to its seat upon
releasing the cord. The testing may be repeated from time to time as desired. In
order to protect the thread and also to prevent it from being drawn into the
openings 6' formed in the kier's upper head I employ a circular open-ended
hood
the same being secured to and extending downwardly from the underside
of said kier-head, and also inclosing the upper portion of the holder 33, as in
Fig. 23.
When slubbing or a thick sliver is to be treated, instead of running the same
through the sampling-valve I take some yarn t made from the same quality of
stock or material and wind it upon a small porforated holder 33°, its lower
end being open and adapted to be secured onto the upper end, d*, Fig. 18,
of the main holder 33, see Figs. 27 and 28. When thus arranged the
circulation through the main and supplemental holders is the same in each,
therefore the treated yarn when sampled will indicate correspondingly the
appearance of the slubbing or sliver wound on the main holder when it is spun
into yarn.
By the employment of the double guide or flyer g', the hood g may be dispensed
with, as it imparts enough tension to the yarn to prevent it from being drawn
into the kier head openings.
Fig. 29, Sheet 11 of the drawings, represents a vertical central sectional view
of the apparatus which I employ for holding, dissolving and filtering or straining
concentrated dye-stuff or other treating materials preparatory to being ejected
therefrom into the main circulation.
30, indicates the dye-tank and 50 the filtering strainer located beneath the tank.
The tank 30 is supported by legs 43 and is, or may be, open at the top and
provided with a depressed or concave head 42 at the bottom; the latter having a
circular grid or spider 44 fitted therein on top of which is secured by a ring 45*
a perforated disk or strainer 45, see also Fig. 31. Between the strainer and the
adjacent lower portion of the head is formed a settling chamber 42*, the outlet
therefrom being through the centre pipe 46 communicating right and left with the
pipe 46*; the latter by means of the valve 46° communicating with the upper
portion or space 51" of the filter 50, and also by the valve 46 with the suction
side of the force pump 29 which discharges into the heater via pipe 29ª and
valve 29, before described. The pipe k admits steam into the tank, the pipe k
water and the pipe liquor forced by the main pump 7.

page_text: •
The filtering strainer 50 has a concave head 52 at the bottom from the centre of
which the outlet 54" connects with the horizontal pipe 47; the latter also connecting
with the pipe 46 communicating with the pump 29. At the bottom of the filter is
located a strainer 55 on which rests the filtering materials 50, as for example,
gravel, crushed quartz, etc.; the strainer itself being supported by a spider 53, thus
forming below the strainer a chamber 54 from which the filtered dye-liquor is
distributed as desired.
In the operation of the apparatus represented by Fig. 29 the treating material is
introduced into the tank 30, when if necessary it is further diluted with water or
other liquid, and boiled or not; the graduated measuring gauge 30* indicating at
the time the amount of undiluted or diluted concentrated liquor or treating
material thus introduced. When the treating material is ready to be injected into
the main connections, valve 46° is opened thus admitting it from the tank into the
chamber 51" of the filter; the liquor percolates downwardly through the material 50°
into the pump 29, via the piping 54 and 47, the valve 47 being open, and valve 46b
closed; the action of the pump now forces it therefrom into the heater and main
circulation. The tank strainer 45 prevents all chips, impurities or foreign matter,
as well as any undissolved material, larger than the mesh or holes, from passing
through into the filter: but it does not always retain within the tankcundissolved
dye-stuffs introduced in the form of thick paste, or even powder, as such materials
will sometimes "cake" or "lump-up" or form specks. Now, if such specks should
enter the main circulation they would cause uneven work because they, as a rule,
fasten themselves to the material under treatment, consequently the liquid cannot
act upon the material uniformly at such places or spots. I overcome the objection
just referred to by means of the bed 50 of filtering substances, because the latter
collects and retains said impurities, etc., until they are dissolved or thrown off by a
subsequent washing. When all the liquor has been exhausted from the tank 30 it
is washed out by opening valve 2 which admits liquor from the main circulation
and a stream of it is left running until it is assumed that all the soluble material
held by the filter and strainer has been absorbed by the current thus induced and
carried by it into the main circulation. If it should be necessary to add more
concentrated or primary treating material to the treating liquid it is diluted by a
supply from valve thus making it unnecessary to employ additional liquor for
dilution beyond that already in use in the circulation. The liquor may run directly
from the tank to the pump 29, thus cutting out the filter, by closing valves 46°
and 47* and opening valve 46°.
When sufficient treating material has been introduced into the main circulation
the pump is stopped and all valves leading thereto closed. The tank is washed out
and drained into sewer 48" by opening valve 46d; valves 48 and 49" being closed.
The filtering strainer 50 is cleaned by opening valve 48b (46 and 49 being closed)
leading to the sewer connection 48, and passing a current of water under pressure
upwardly through the filter bed 50"; water for the purpose being admitted through
valve 47, thereby causing all the impurities and foreign matter to rise and float off
through said valve 48" into the sewer. At the same time by opening the valve 49*
connected with the cross 48 and escape pipe 49 the operator can judge from the
appearance of the waste wash water passing from the pipe 49 whether the filter has
been sufficiently cleaned.
A pressure gauge 56 is connected with the top and bottom portions of the
filter 50, said connections being provided with cocks e¹, e². By means of this gauge
the operator is able to determine whether the flow of liquor is regular, etc. That
is, the varying pressures (if any) indicated on the dial denote to the attendant,
after opening and closing the corresponding cocks, whether the bed 50* is clogged
or whether the passage of the washing liquor out of the filter is free and
unobstructed. It is evident that the piping can be arranged so as to let the liquor
from the tank 30 run through the pump first and be forced by the latter through
the filter 50 into the main circulation by simply connecting the pump's outlet
with the filter inlet controlled by valve 46, at the same time connecting the

page_text: bottom outlet 54" to the main circulation by a valved pipe leading therefrom to the
heater.
The following is a description of the operation of the complete apparatus, and
for the sake of illustration it is assumed that the fibrous material to be treated is to
be scoured, mordanted and dyed; that is to say:
The series of perforated holders 33 after being filled and passed through the
doors 2 into the kiers 1, 1, are placed vertically in the sockets 32, at the same time
locking them in place by means of the pins 6. Upon closing the doors I next open
the two valves 9" and 24°, thus putting the mains 24 and 21 in communication with
the bottom of the kiers, followed by opening the two small valves 15° and 15°
(Fig. 1) and start the ejector e, thus producing a partial vacuum in the said mains,
kiers, and also in the material or load wound upon the perforated holders 33. I
then open valve 25ª connecting manifold 27 with the mains, at the same time
opening say valve a' communicating by the pipe c' with the elevated tank c, Fig. 5,
containing (for the time being we will suppose) the scouring liquor. The latter
now flows from the tank through the open connections into the bottom chamber 68
of the kiers, thence upwardly through the series of holders and material mounted
thereon into the main chamber of the kiers. When the latter are sufficiently filled
the ejector is shut off, also closing valve 24, at the same time opening valves 22ª,
10, 9, 24, 8. I then start the pump 7, taking care that the pointer of the
distributor 35 indicates that the flow from the pump is into the bottom of the kiers,
or as represented in Figs. 10 and 12.
The result of the pump's action is then to force the liquor into the distributor,
then past the valve 94 downwardly into the mains 9 and tees 13 and from the latter
into the bottom of the kiers, thence upwardly through the holders, etc., into the
upper pipes 6 and mains 14, past the valves 10" and downwardly through the
connection 10 into the distributor, and from the latter it flows upwardly into
pipe 23 to the top of the heater or reservoir 8. As soon as the liquor attains a
sufficient height in the heater, or say to the level o, o, Fig. 14, (the glass 85, Fig. 2,
indicating the level) the valve a' connected with the said supply pipe c¹ is closed
and the distributing valve disk 38 set in motion by means of the worm gearing
actuated by a link-belt w', sce dotted lines Fig. 10; said belt being started by
shipping mechanism, etc., in any well-known manner. The now revolving disk and
its mechanism in connection with pump 7 and heater acts to automatically and
intermittingly swing or vibrate the wing 36 at certain prearranged intervals
thereby alternately diverting the flow of liquor; one revolution of the disk causing
the liquor to flow say into the top of the kiers, the next revolution diverting it into
the bottom, and so on alternately as hereinbefore described.
When the liquor has thus been sufficiently circulated back and forth through the
material or load carried on the bolders the distributor 35 and pump 7 are stopped.
The scouring liquor is now discharged into the sewer by opening valves 11, 21°
and 34; the latter is employed to quickly empty the kiers, the same being operated
by the hand-wheels 34. If desired, however, the pump may be used to return the
liquor to the tank c whence it came. In the latter case instead of opening the
series of valves last-named the valve 22 is first closed. thus shutting off the delivery
side of the pump from the kiers, the kiers then draining into the mains 9, 24, and 21
by opening the valves 24 and 34. The valve 25 is now opened, thus establishing
a circulation downwardly between the delivery side of the pump and the manifold 27;
the valve 25ª being closed to separate the delivery from the suction. If the pump
is now started and the valve a' opened the liquor contained in the kiers, heater and
piping is returned to the tank c. In like manner liquid may be returned to any
other of the tanks shown (h, m or 2) by simply opening the corresponding valve
connecting them with the manifold. All drip remaining in the mains 24, 21 and
manifold is drawn off through the smaller valved pipes 21 and 27.
7
Now supposing all valves previously opened to be closed, I will next describe
the manner of rinsing the material just scoured and still mounted within the
kiers.

page_text: The distributor 35 is first set to deliver the flow from the pump into the bottom
of the kiers, after which the several valves 22", 9ª, 9, 24ª, 10, 25", 15ª, 15º, 15ª, 8ª
are opened, and also the valve a', which latter we will suppose connects the
manifold 27 with a tank h (Fig. 5) containing either hot or cold water for rinsing
purposes. The water now flows into the mains 21, 24, etc., and as soon as it
appears in the glass gauge 8 of the reservoir or heater 8 the main pump is started.
The water is thereby drawn through the kiers and material; the air they contain
being driven into the air chambers 14" and escapes therefrom into the sewer through
the piping 15, 15, and interposed open valves.
After the kiers are filled with the rinsing fluid and have overflowed sufficiently
into the heater 8 as previously described, the valve a² is closed, the automatic
distributor is put in motion and the operation of forcing the water back and forth
through the material is then continued until the material is sufficiently rinsed,
when the now charged rinsing water is run off into the sewer by opening the bottom
valves 11, 21° and 27ª.
The mordanting and subsequent rinsing of the material are effected in the same
manner as the scouring and rinsing just described; obviously the only change
being made is the opening and closing of the valve a connecting the manifold 27
with the mordanting tank m.
Except when using oxydizable dyes, such as indigo, it is not absolutely necessary
to create a vacuum in the apparatus before distributing the liquor as the only
advantage resulting therefrom is that it ensures a more perfect impregnation of the
material being treated.
The heating or cooling of the treating liquors is affected by coils 41 in the closed
heater or reservoir 8 to which either steam or cold water are admitted by opening
the valves of the piping 8 or 8, which enter the tee 41, see Fig. 14, etc.
In dyeing the material, if the dye-stuffs to be used are diluted in supply tanks
communicating with the manifold 27 and its valves, the manner of procedure in
introducing the dyeing liquor is the same as that employed in the operation of
scouring and rinsing, but if compound shades are to be dyed or the dye-stuffs to be
used are in a dry, paste or concentrated form, the apparatus is first filled with water
as before described in the operation of rinsing and the dye stuffs selected are dis-
solved in the tank 30 and water and steam pipes k', k connected therewith supply
the solvent and heat for the tank full of concentrated dye. When the pump 7 and
distributor 35 have been started up and the circulation through the material
established the concentrated dye is run from the tank 30 through filter 50 into
small pump 29, which latter injects the same into the bottom of the heater 8, via
pipe 29 and valve 29, where it is being constantly diluted with the liquor circu-
lating through the apparatus and material. When the tank 30 is partly emptied,
a pipe leading from pump 7 and having a valved connection into said tank is
made to supply a small stream of liquor which is kept running until it is assumed
that all the dyestuff in the said tank and filter is dissolved and combined with the
circulating liquor.
Now supposing that the liquor has been sufficiently heated and circulated, if a
sample of the material being dyed is withdrawn from the kier through the testing-
valve 31, and it is found to be deficient in any particular dyeing material, or
materials, such deficiency is supplied by putting it into the tank 30 and diluting it
with liquor furnished from pipe and is then injected by the pump 29 into heater 8
as previously described. Such addition being made from time to time or until the
desired shade is obtained. If the dye-stuffs to be added are of such a nature that
a cooling of the liquor is desirable before they are introduced into the circulation,
the steam is shut off from the heater at 8" and cold water turned on at 8"; when
the liquor is cool enough, as may be determined by the thermometers 4 secured
to the kiers, the new dye is injected, the cold water turned off and the steam turned
on again.
In using certain dye-stuffs it is desirable to oxydize the liquor while it is in
circulation and for this purpose air is forced into the top of the beater through

page_text: pipe 84.
and who surplus escapes
apat ang G
The valve 34 (Fig. 9, etc.) is always opened when the kiers are being emptied
and always closed when filling or working, or when the blast is on, as hereinafter
described.
When the treating or dyeing of the material is completed the liquor is returned
to its corresponding supply tank, or it may be drained into the sewer; and as soon
as it has entirely left the upper chamber of the kiers, the valves 11 being open and
all the other valves closed, the gates or valves 14ª are opened and a current of air
under pressure from the blower 28 is conducted into the chambers 14' communi-
cating directly with the upper portion of the kiers; the action of the air being to
drive before it or force out the liquor contained in the material under treatment
through the perforations of the holders 33 into the lower chambers 6" and thence
into the sewer. The air thus employed may be ordinary atmospheric air or it can
be drawn from a source which heats and dries the air before entering the blower.
The blast can be continued until all moisture is carried off or evaporated from the
material, thus leaving the latter perfectly dry. I would add that if desired the
material may be removed from the kiers in a semi-dry state and the drying
completed in any suitable manner.
It is obvious that both kiers need not be operated at the same time as each have
independent valved connections communicating with the pumps, blower and sewer;
therefore the material in one kier can be treated with the several liquids while the
material is being loaded, unloaded or dried in the other kier.
In treating materials with indigo, the solution of indigo-white can be prepared
and stored in a reservoir or tank (Fig. 5) preferably located below the lower
inlet 11 to the kier; said tank communicating with valves 12" and said inlets by
means of the piping 12; or the indigo-white solution in a concentrated form can be
injected after the kiers and the whole system have been filled with water, in the
same manner as other dye-stuffs are introduced in the circulation.
A vacuum is created in the entire. apparatus by first opening the several valves,
which cause the different parts of the apparatus to communicate with each other
while the ejector or exhauster is being worked, and at the same time closing the
inlet and outlet valves 8c, 8d on top of the heater.
When a sufficient vacuum is formed the whole apparatus is filled with indigo
liquor which is circulated through the material being treated, and said liquor can be
enriched with concentrated indigo-white solution in the same. manner that other
treating liquors are enriched and circulated as previously described; or the system
can be filled with water into which a concentrated solution of indigo white is
injected during its circulation. When the liquor has been circulated sufficiently
long to insure an even saturation of the material being treated, with indigo solution,
the temperature of the liquid is gradually raised to the desired degree, the
circulation and reversing of the flow being kept up until the proper shade is
obtained as may be determined by samples taken through the testing valve 31, or
until another dip is found to be necessary. The valves 12 are then reopened, air
at the same time being admitted to the top of the kiers and heater through
valves 8, 15, 15, 15ª, through piping 15, thereby allowing the indigo liquor to
flow back into its reservoir or tank i or preferably into a closed tank from which
the air has been exhausted. If more than one dip is found necessary to obtain the
desired shade the several operations just described are repeated for each dip.
As soon as the kiers are thus emptied the valves 12" are closed and valves 11"
and 14 opened, followed by admitting air under pressure from blower 28 as before
described.
The air in passing through the material, oxydizes the indigo white fastened to
said material into indigo blue or indigotine, at the same time driving out any
surplus or remaining liquor as before stated.
The pressure gauges 5º, 5º, Fig. 1, respectively indicate the pressure in the upper
and lower chamber portions of the kier; the difference between the readings of

page_text: the two pressures indicates to the operator at any time the amount of resistance
being used to force the treating liquor_through_the material. By watching these
two gauges and the pump-gauge p the attendant can determine whether the
apparatus is working properly or otherwise.
My improved apparatus and system may be adapted to the treatment of textile
material by means of the arrangement represented by Figs. 32 to 36, inclusive,
without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is to say, a pair of kiers 1*
are employed, which in practice are both open or both closed. (In the drawings,
Fig. 36, one kier is represented as having a closed top the other being open, the
cover being indicated by dotted lines.)
In this arrangement the kiers are only partially filled with the treating liquids.
Enough being used, however, to completely submerge the filled holders 13, as
clearly shown. These latter are mounted in sockets 32 communicating directly
with a bottom chamber 6 substantially as before described. A valve 3+ is used to
quickly empty the kiers of liquor into said chamber when desired. This chamber
in turn communicates with a series of branch pipes 60 arranged to distribute the
liquor over the whole surface of the chamber. These pipes 60 connect with a
central cross opening into a vertical tee 13 communicating at the bottom with the
sewer through the pipes 11 and valves 11*; the lateral branch or nozzle of the tee
communicates indirectly with the pump 7 by means of the piping 9, valves 9, etc.,
and with the exhauster 28 by the branch or by-pass piping 57, 57, 57° and
valves 57, leading from pipe 9. The main 9 is connected directly to the
distributor 35 (see Fig. 32), which latter opens into the delivery side of the pump
by pipe 22. The pump suction being connected to the main 21 by the rising
main 21. The main 21 communicates with the manifold 27 by valves 25"; the
manifold in turn being connected with the several supply tanks, as before described,
through the pipes c', h³, m' and ', and corresponding valves a¹, a², aª, a².
From the foregoing it will be seen that the pump 7 discharges into the bottom of
the kiers, via pipe 22, distributor 35, piping 9, 9, 13 and 60, and into the upper
part of the kiers, upon reversing the valves 35, by piping 10, 10, leading from the
latter and the interposed valves 10", see also Fig. 36. The return flow from the
top and bottom of the kiers to the pump is through the lower nozzle of
the distributor into the main 21 and thence upwardly therefrom through suction
pipe 21*.
The kiers 1 are each provided with an ejector, vacuum gauge, water-glass_and
testing valve substantially as before described with reference to the kiers 1. These
appliances are not, as a rule, employed except when the covers 62 are used. These
covers are provided with an air inlet 8, an outlet 8d, and a main connection 61 having
a valve 61, the latter arranged to receive air under pressure from a blower, or it may
be opened to the atmosphere to admit air to be drawn through the kier and material
by an exhauster 28, the waste air thus exhausted passing into the atmosphere again
via pipe 59. Steam for heating the liquor and concentrated treating inaterials is
introduced from the proper source into the circulation through the small pipe 64
communicating with the tees 13. It will be seen that an air space 63 is formed
between the level of the liquor and the top of the kier; the upper inlets and
outlets of the kier being located above the top of the holders 33.
I will now describe the manner of circulating the liquor through the kiers and
material represented by Figs. 32 to 36, assuming that the kiers have been first
filled with the holders as herein before described.
Upon opening the proper valve at the manifold 27 (corresponding to the treat-
ment desired) communicating with the respective tank or reservoir, the liquid
immediately fills the manifold and flows into main 21 by opening valve 2. The
distributor 35 being now set to deliver the flow from pump into the bottom of the
kiers the valves 9" and 10" are opened and pump 7 started. As a result the liquid
is forced from the pump through pipe 22 into the top of distributor, the valve 36
of the latter diverting the flow into main 9 through valve 9*, tees 13 and branch
pipes 60 into bottom chambers 6%, thence upwardly through the sockets and holders

page_text: into the air chamber 63; from the latter it flows outwardly through the valves 10ª,
piping 10, 10, to the distributor (see Fig. 32) and through it into the main 21 and
from thence via connection 21ª to the pump, thus completing the circuit. When
the liquor has attained a sufficient height in the kiers the main valve 25ª is closed,
at the same time shutting off the tank supply, followed by starting the distributor ;
the latter in its movement now acts to periodically reverse the direction of circulation
as hereinbefore described. In this case, however, the circulation is effected mainly
through gravity and suction in connection with the pump.
When the treating-liquor has been thus automatically passed back and forth
through the material for a sufficient length of time it can be returned to the tank
whence it came by stopping the distributor and setting it with the pointer e upward
so as to direct the flow from the pump to top of kiers, at the same time closing
valves 10 and opening valves 25 and the one communicating with the manifold
and supply tank. The kiers will then drain to the pump through the piping 9, 21,
and interposed distributor; the pump then forces the liquor therefrom through the
pipe 22 and distributor into piping 10, 25 and valve 25 to the manifold, and from
the latter back to the supply tank. If desired the liquor can be discharged
into the sewer through the piping 11 and valves 11", communicating with the
tees 13.
When the liquor has been drawn from the kiers all the valves previously opened
are closed and valves 57 and 61° opened. The exhauster 28 is then started,
thereby drawing atmospheric air into the kiers and downwardly through the
material and holders, the current thus produced carrying with it any liquor left in
the material and delivers it into the box 58 from whence it may be drawn by the
valve 58 (Fig. 32), the air passing from the exhauster by pipe 59.
My present invention, as herein before stated, further relates to improvements in
the manufacture of colored tops or slivers from combed animal fibres; the object
being to produce colored tops or slivers in a more perfect, expeditious and less
expensive manner than the present existing methods of manufacturing such product.
By means of my improvement the manipulation is such that the fibres are neither
felted nor disturbed from their normal or parallel position while the material is
being chemically treated and dried, thereby successfully avoiding the recombing
process, and consequently effecting a large saving in material, labor and expense.
Where perfect work is desired it has been usual hitherto to comb all fibres,
intended for colored top making, after they have been dyed; whether they had
been combed previous to dyeing or not; and in general practice it has been found
most economical to dye combed fibres for the production of colored tops, for reasons
well known to practical manufacturers. But such former processes and manipula-
tions necessarily called for a re-combing of the fibres in order to produce
commercially salable tops on account of the felting and roughing up of the fibres,
due to the processes of scouring, dyeing and drying
In carrying out this part of my invention, which is more specifically illustrated
in Sheets 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings, I take an ordinary combed
sliver of any size or a top, in an undyed state, and twist it into roping, or draw
and twist it into a sliver or roping, a a, and then wind it upon a suitable holder or
spool 33 having a perforated barrel, as 33", Figs. 17 to 22, and 38. The thus
filled holder 33, is next mounted in a kier 1, see Figs. 6, 7, &c., where the sliver is
chemically treated in any well known manner, or as before set forth in describing
the action of said kiers. That is to say, the treating liquids enter the distributing
chamber 6 at the bottom of the kier, via the piping communicating therewith aud
pass upwardly therefrom into the interior of the holders; thence through the
barrel and the load wound thereon into the kier chamber, and from the latter to
the outlet or discharge piping connected with the top of the kier. The mechanisın
is arranged to force the liquid through the material, and at the same time
automatically circulate it therethrough intermittingly at certain pre-determined
intervals of time if desired. After the dyeing operation has been effected the
sliver, while still mounted upon the holder, is next dried by means of the introduction

page_text: 4. In an apparatus for treating textile fibres, and in combination a closed kier, a
closed reservoir, and a pump, all included in a system of valved pipes, said reservoir
communicating with the pump suction and opposite ends of the kier through a
4-way distributor also in said system, and mechanism for operating said distributor,
said pipes and distributor being arranged to reverse the current through the said
kier, substantially as described.
5. In an apparatus for treating textile fibres, and in combination, a closed kier,
and a reservoir arranged on a higher plane than said kier, a pump connecting with
the reservoir's outlet, a system of valved pipes, leading through the kier and a
distributor connecting with the reservoir's inlet arranged to reverse the circulation
through said kier, and valved pipes leading also from said distributor arranged
to maintain the circulation downward through said reservoir, substantially as
described.
6. In an apparatus for treating textile materials mounted on perforated holders
communicating with the inlet and outlet chambers of the treating kier, a suitably
connected mechanically operating 4-way valve or distributor located below the
kier, arranged to automatically reverse the direction of the treating liquid while
the latter is passing through said material, and a pump discharging the treating-
liquid into said kier chambers alternately upon reversing the distributor, provided
with pipes whereby the return flow from the chambers is made by gravity and
suction through the bottom of the distributor, and thence into the suction side of the
pump, substantially as described.
7. In an apparatus for treating fibrous materials by circulating the treating-
liquid to and fro through the material in opposite directions at predetermined
intervals of time, a heater located in the piping system arranged to receive said
liquid as it is discharged from the kier, a pump for effecting the circulation taking
its supply from the heater, and an intermittingly operated distributor or 4-way
valve for alternately reversing the flow of the circulating liquid from the top to the
bottom of the kier and communicating with the inlet to the beater, substantially
as described.
8. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, provided with a treating kier,
a heater or reservoir and a liquor circulating pump, the combination therewith of
an intermittingly operating 4-way valve having the top nozzle communicating with
the top of the heater, the bottom nozzle with the bottom of the heater, via the
pump, and the two lateral nozzles with the inlet and outlet chambers of the kier,
substantially as described.
9. In an apparatus for treating textile fibres, and in combination, a kier, a
pump, a reservoir having in it a coil for changing the temperature, and a system of
valved pipes including said kier, reservoir and pump, and a 4-way distributor in
said system, with connections through said kier, combined with reversing mechanism,
and connections through said reservoir, all substantially as described.
10. In an apparatus for treating textile fibres, and in combination, a kier, a
reservoir and a pump, a distributor connected to the force and exhaust sides of said
pump, pipes leading from the distributor through the kier, and a discharge pipe
leading from the distributor to the said reservoir, said discharge pipe being higher
than the kier, and a pipe leading from the reservoir to the distributor, all substan-
tially as described.
11. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, a piped kier containing
perforated holders carrying said material, a pump for circulating the treating
liquid, and a heater or reservoir, in combination with an intermittingly operated
4-way valve or distributor having four nozzles, one communicating with the inlet
chamber of said kier, one with the outlet chamber, one with the discharge of said
pump, and one with the suction side of the pump through the said heater, the
latter being located above said suction, and maintaining a head on the pump,
substantially as described.
12. In an apparatus for treating textile fibres, and in combination, a closed kier.
a closed reservoir, and a system of valved pipes including said kier, reservoir and

page_text: pump, and a 4-way distributor in said system, with connections through said Kier,
arranged for reversed currents, and connections through said reservoir, the whole
forming a closed system substantially as described.
13. In an apparatus for treating textile material, the combination with the
treating-kier, the valve and pipe connections, forming a closed system, and a
circulating pump, etc., arranged to circulate the treating-liquids throughout the
system, of coils located in the system and arranged for cooling and heating the
treating-liquid, as described, during its passage or circulation, substantially as
described.
14. In combination with a kier, and pump, and a system of valved pipes whereby
circulation is maintained through the kier, a heater or reservoir connected with
said system of valved pipes, said "heater or reservoir having interior coils connected
with valved steam and water pipes, whereby it may be used either as a heater,
cooler or reservoir, substantially as described.
15. In combination with a kier and pump, and a system of valved pipes, whereby
circulation is maintained through the kier, a heater or reservoir connected with
said system of valved pipes, said heater or reservoir having interior coils connected
with valved steam and water pipes and having also a pipe connected with a blower,
all substantially as described.
16. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, and in combination with a
pump and kier a heater or reservoir adapted interiorly for the circulation of
treating liquids and provided with coils for the circulation of cooling and heating
mediums for the purpose of changing the temperature of the treating-liquid, said
coils being connected with valved pipes supplying said mediums, substantially as
described.
17. A sampling valve, consisting of a body portion, having a seat for the valve,
a hole in said seat communicating with the interior of the kier, a valve having a
fucing fitted to hold the thread without cutting it, means for forcing the valve to
its seat and means for releasing said valve, substantially as described.
18. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, the combination with a closed
treating kier, of a testing-valve secured thereto, consisting of a head having a
valved opening communicating with the kier's interior and adapted for the passage
of an end of the material under treatment, a self-closing valve for closing said
opening, and & movable sleeve fitting the exterior of the head portion, substantially
as described.
19. In an apparatus for treating textile materials mounted in a closed kier, the
self-closing testing-valve having the tubular aperture or perforation communicating
with the kier's interior for the passage of an end of the material under treatment,
substantially as set forth.
20. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, the combination with a closed
treating-kier and one or more spools or holders mounted therein carrying said
material while under treatment, of a self-closing testing-valve communicating with
the kier's interior and adapted for the passage through it of an end of the material
under treatment, and an interior hood or shield through which said end passes from
the spool to the valve, substantially as described.
21. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, the combination with a closed
treating-kier, of a self-closing testing-valve secured thereto and communicating
with the kier's interior, said valve being adapted for the passage of an end of the
material under treatment, the valve and its seat, one or both, having a yielding
face to preserve the integrity of the sample end when the valve is seated.
22. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, provided with a kier having
inlet and outlet chambers and perforated holders mounted in the kier communicating
with said chambers, the combination therewith of a supplemental perforated holder
communicating with one of the main holders, a testing-valve communicating with
the interior of the kier having an opening through it for the passage of a yarn or
thread and mechanism for circulating the treating liquid through the materials,
substantially as described.

page_text: 23. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, a suitably connected kier
having a bottom chamber separated from the main chamber by an apertured
partition and having a series of holders fitting said apertures, each holder consisting
of a capped central perforated tube, a perforated barrel on to which the material
to be treated is wound, and closed ends or heads, whereby when in use the treating-
liquid passes from the said bottom chamber upwardly into the interior of the holder
and outwardly therefrom through the load or material, and vice versa, substantially
as described.
24. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, a kier having a top head
provided with a central opening from which extend radiating pipes having smaller
openings communicating with the interior of the kier, and a similarly constructed
bottom head having in addition an interposed or supplemental chamber communi-
cating with the interior of the kier by a series of sockets, arranged to receive
perforated holders, substantially as described.
25. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, a kier having a bottom head
provided with an interposed chamber communicating both with the main chamber
of the kier and the lower main opening, and having a discharge valve communicating
directly with said interposed and main chambers, substantially as set forth.
26. In an apparatus for treating textile materials with circulating liquids, a 4-way
valve distributor arranged to reverse the direction of the treating-liquid, a con-
tinuously revolving disk-wheel provided with a toothed segment, a pinion arranged
to inter-gear therewith to actuate the valve proper and a locking plate adapted in
use to engage the disk wheel to prevent movement of the valve after the pinion and
segment have ceased to act, substantially as described.
27. In an apparatus for treating textile materials with circulating liquids pro-
vided with a mounted 4-way valve or distributor arranged to reverse the flow of
said liquid, mechanism for automatically operating said valve consisting of a loosely
mounted disk adapted to continuous rotation, a pointer-carrying plate intermittingly
rotated by said disk, an arm or crank secured to the stem of the valve proper and
a link jointed to the crank and plate, whereby the valve is vibrated to and fro in
unison with the intermittingly rotated plate, substantially as described.
28. In combination with a kier and pump, and a system of valved pipes, whereby
circulation is maintained through the kier, a heater or reservoir connected with
said system of valved pipes, said heater or reservoir having interior coils connected
with valved steam or water pipes, and having also an air pipe connected with a blower,
and a pipe connected with a concentrated liquor supply substantially as described.
29. In an apparatus for treating fibrous materials, a tank for containing concen-
trated dye-liquor, a filter communicating therewith, a pump for forcing the liquor
from said tank and filter into the main circulation or treating-liquid, and mechanism
for circulating the latter through the holders and material, substantially as described.
30. In an apparatus for treating fibrous materials mounted on perforated holders
communicating with the inlet and outlet chambers of the treating-kier, the com-
bination therewith of a dye-tank provided with a strainer and collecting chamber, a
filter connected with the tank having a bed of filtering material, a strainer and
collecting chamber, means for forcing liquor from said tank and filter into the main
circulating system, and mechanism for repeatedly circulating the treating-liquid
through the fibrous material, substantially as described.
31. The system for treating fibrous materials, substantially as hereinbefore
described, the same comprising the following instrumentalities, viz. : one or more
kiers having a series of perforated holders mounted therein carrying the material
under treatment, a heater or reservoir into which the treating liquor is discharged
from the kiers, a series of supply tanks, a dye-liquor tank and filter, communicating
with each other, a pump arranged to discharge the dye-liquor into said heater
or circulation, automatically operating 4-way valve or distributor arranged to
reverse the flow of the treating-liquor at predetermined intervals of time, a main
pump for effecting the circulation of the treating liquor, and valved connections
communicating with the several parts, for the purpose specified.

page_text: 32. The system for treating fibrous materials, substantially as hereinbefore
described, the same comprising the following instrumentalities, viz.: one or more
kiers having a series of perforated holders mounted therein, carrying the material
under treatment, a heater or reservoir into which the treating-liquor is discharged
from the kiers, a series of supply tanks, a dye liquor tank and filter communicating
with each other, a pump arranged to discharge the dye-liquor into said heater or
circulation, an automatically operating 4-way valve or distributor arranged to
reverse the flow of the treating-liquor at predetermined intervals of time, a main
pump for effecting the circulation of the treating-liquor, a blower arranged to
circulate air through the materials under treatment, and valved connections com-
municating with the several parts for the purpose specified.
33. The system for treating fibrous materials, substantially as hereinbefore
described, the same comprising the following instrumentalities, viz. : one or more
kiers having a series of perforated holders mounted therein carrying the material
under treatment, an ejector, or other suitable means for forming a vacuum in the
kiers, a heater or reservoir into which the treating-liquor is discharged from the
kiers, a series of supply-tanks, a dye liquor tank and filter communicating with each
other, a pump arranged to discharge the dye liquor into said heater, an automatically
operating 4-way valve or distributor arranged to reverse the flow of the treating-
liquor at predetermined intervals of time, a main pump for effecting the circulation
of the treating-liquor, and valved connections communicating with the several parts,
for the purposes specified.
34. The system for treating fibrous materials, substantially as hereinbefore
described, the same comprising the following instrumentalities, niz. : one or more
kiers having a series of perforated holders mounted therein carrying the material
under treatment, an ejector or other suitable means for forming a vacuum in the
kiers, a heater or reservoir into which the treating-liquor is discharged from the
kiers, a series of supply tanks, a dye-liquor tank and filter communicating with
each other, a pump arranged to discharge the dye-liquor into said heater, an
automatically operating 4-way valve or distributor arranged to reverse the flow of
the treating-liquor at predetermined intervals of time, a main pump for effecting
the circulation of the treating-liquor, a blower arranged to circulate air through the
material under treatment, an indigo tank communicating with the lower discharge
outlet of the kiers by an independent valved connection and valved piping con-
necting the kiers with the several parts, for the purpose specified.
35. In an apparatus for treating textile materials, the combination of a dye-tank,
a filter having a closed system of circulation, in connection with a suitable supply
therefor and a pump or other injecting mechanism arranged to discharge dye-liquor
from said tank and filter into and be diluted with the circulating treating-liquor,
substantially as described.
36. In an apparatus for treating textile materials mounted on perforated holders
communicating with the inlet and outlet chambers of the treating-kier, the combi-
nation therewith of a mechanically operating piped distributor located below the
kier arranged to intermittingly reverse the flow of the treating-liquid, a pump also
located below the kier connected with said distributor and kier chambers, a valved
manifold communicating with one or more supply tanks, distributor and pump, and
mechanism for circulating air through the material under treatment, substantially
as described.
37. An apparatus for treating porous or textile materials, the same comprising a
plurality of kiers arranged to contain such material while under treatment, one or
more supply tanks, a circulating pump, means for changing the temperature of the
circulating treating-liquor, mechanism for forcing air and creating a vacuum, an
intermittingly operating distributor, and valved piping connecting the several parts,
all combined and adapted for operation whereby at the same time the material in
one kier is being subjected to the treating operation the previously treated material
is being dried or removed from the other kier followed by recharging the latter
with untreated material, substantially as described.

page_text: 38. In an apparatus for treating textile materials having a force pump therein and
system of pipes for circulation of the treating-liquid, means for mechanically
returning the treating-liquids from the kiers into the reservoirs or supply tanks,
the same consisting of a pump, a suction main communicating with the kiers, etc.,
a stop-valve closing the circulation of the kiers, a valved manifold communicating
with the tanks, a valved connection communicating with the pump discharge and
said manifold and a stop-valve interposed between the manifold and the pump
suction, substantially as described.
39. In an apparatus for treating textile fibers, a closed kier, a closed heater or
reservoir, and a pump, both included in a system of circulating pipes, an indigo
tank in communication with said system, and means for introducing the indigo
solution from the indigo tank into said system, substantially as described.
40. In apparatus for treating textile materials, a closed kier provided with inlets
and outlets for the passage of air and treating liquor, and an indigo tank or reservoir
communicating with said outlet in combination with means for exhausting air from
the kier and means for supplying air to the kiers.
41. In apparatus for treating textile fibers, a closed kier, a closed reservoir,
a pump, and a system of circulating pipes, including said kier, reservoir and pump,
an indigo tank in communication with said system, means for introducing the indigo
solution from said tank into said system, and means for changing the temperature
of the circulating liquor, substantially as described.
42. In apparatus for treating textile fibers, a closed kier, a pump, both included
in a system of circulating pipes, an indigo tank or reservoir in communication with
said system, means for introducing the indigo solution from said tank into said
system, and a concentrated liquor tank, also in communication with said system,
and means for forcing the concentrated liquor into said system, all substantially
as described.
43. The improvement in the manufacture of colored tops or slivers from combed
animal fibers, the same consisting in winding a combed sliver in a twisted condition
upon a suitable holder, then chemically treating the thus mounted sliver, and
drying it.
44. The improvement in the manufacture of colored tops or slivers from combed
animal fibere, the same consisting in winding a combed and twisted sliver upon a
suitable holder, then chemically treating the thus mounted sliver and drying it and
then untwisting the treated sliver.
45. The improvement in the manufacture of colored tops or slivers from combed
animal fibers, the same consisting in winding a combed and twisted sliver upon a
suitable holder, then chemically treating the thus mounted sliver and drying it,
then untwisting the treated sliver and then combining and drawing two or more of
said slivers into a single sliver.
46. The improvement in the manufacture of colored tops or slivers from combed
animal fibers, the same consisting in winding a combed and twisted sliver upon a
suitable holder, then chemically treating the thus mounted sliver and drying it,
then untwisting the treated sliver and then combining, drawing and gilling two or
more of said slivers into a single sliver.
47. The improvement in the manufacture of colored tops or slivers from combed
animal fibers, the same consisting in winding a combed and twisted sliver upon a
suitable holder, then chemically treating the thus mounted sliver and drying it,
then untwisting the treated sliver from the holder, and then combining, drawing,
gilling and balling two or more of said slivers into a top.
Dated the 24th dow of October 1902
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.