Process of and Apparatus for Bleaching, Dyeing, Washing, and similarly Treating of Spun Fibres and Stuffs of Every Kind.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1896-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
Process of and Apparatus for Bleaching, Dyeing, Washing, and
similarly Treating of Spun Fibres and Stuffs of Every Kind.
I, BERNHARD THIES, Manufacturer of Ochtrup in the Province of Westfalia
and Kingdom of Prussia, Germany 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 present invention refers to an improvement as compared to the process
hitherto in use in bleaching, steaming, dyeing, dressing, drying, washing and
similarly treating of spun yarn and stuffs of overy kind, as well as to an apparatus
for making it possible to carry out this process.
By apparatus we understand the machinery serving for the treatment of the textile
stuffs, consisting of various boilers or reservoirs; furthermore the actual material-
reservoirs, for the spun-yarn, and the tubes connecting all these parts, together with
inserted cut-off and reversing contrivances, such as cocks, slides, valves as also the
contrivances for increasing or diminishing the pressure such as air-pumps etc.;
finally the pumps, pulsometers for supplying and carrying off the fluids.
There are already a large number of such apparatus, having in part similar or
equal parts as my apparatus, in which however the now and essentiel parts of my
process are wanting and cannot be supplied. According to the old process-quite
apart from the special chemico-technical processes, varying according to the kind
of dyeing just going on, for instance diamin, indigo dyeing etc., and the other
necessary operations, and which can all be carried out in the respective apparatus-
the dyer's bath, lye, mordant, wash or dye liquid etc., i.e. the movable medium
which was to take effect on the yarn, was led either under dynamic pressure,
produced by pumps etc. i.e. by a series of strokes, while coming for the most part
out of open reservoirs, without increased pressure to the actual stuff tanks, then
driven by auction i.e. diminution of pressure behind these tanks, through the latter
and the yarn therein contained.
My new process, on the other hand, is distinguished by the various fluids that
are used, being stored in closed tanks under a pressure produced by the fluids
themselves, and therefore always uniform, before the store tanks ie. in the fluid
tanks and in the pipes leading from them to the yarn tanke, so that the difference
between the vacuum or inferior pressure behind and the increase of pressure before
the yarn tanks acts on the motion of the fluid, for the rest however the absolute
pressure which remains after deducting the minor pressure behind the tanks from
the over pressure before them, takes full effect on all parts.
In this manner it on the one hand first becomes possible to work with a
difference of pressure of more than one atmosphere, which is impossible in the
other process with open tanke, and on the other hand it becomes possible according
to requirement and the amount which is given to the superpressure and vacuum, to
make the fluid which is being used under great as well as under little pressure How
fast or slow at any desired rate through the tanks.
Finally my process is distinguished from all others hitherto known, on account
that the textile stuffs to be treated remain during all operations undertaken with
then e.y. when then are deprived of air before the first bath enters, then while the
latter is taking effect, furthermore after it has been allowed to flow off when
superfluous moisture is sucked off on a current of gas, air or steam entering, then

page_text: while the air is a second time removed, during the process of drying and during the
action of the second bath etc., in the same plnéo iu the stuff-tauk and are not
subjected to any change of place.
All these successivo operations are carried out in a very simple manner which
is easily understood by a workınan, by shutting or opening of a fen cooks aud
valves.
The annexed drawings contain on Sheet 1 in elevation, side-view and ground plan
the different parts forming the whole apparatus: on Sheet 2 the different ways
taken by the liquids from a storage tank through the stuff-tanks to a collecting
reservoir are shown as they have been described a little way back. Sheet 3, 4
and 5 show the apparatus in its special construction in olovation, side-view and
ground-plan, while Sheet 6 shows the cocks in their different positions, when the
chief bath is in action as is described on pages 24 to 30, and Sheet 7 the positions
of the cocks with a secondary bath, showing how they differ from those described
ou Sheet 6. (See pages 30 to 33.)
As is shown. by Sheet 1, the apparatus consists of a number of tall boilers A,
AA, AAA etc. which each serve as a storage tank for one of the liquids which
are used either for dyeing washing or bleaching, and form the hydrostatic pressure
column which produces the pressure before the stuff-tanks. The apparatus consists
further of a corresponding number of collecting-tanks B, B B, B B B, etc. which
collect the liquids which have flowed through the stuff-tanks and have done their
work, and allow them to be pumped back again to A, A A, A A A, etc., then uf
the necessary liquid pumps, the vacuum pump and the vacuum boiler D; finally of
a number of suitably shaped stuff-tanks F and the necessary connection pipes
between these parts, as well as of the cut-off' and reversing contrivances. The
arrangement of these Intter parts must be such that it is possible, to conduct
the liquids at will in two opposite directions through the stuff-tanks, so that for
every direction of the flow of the liquid and for each stuff-tank, one can make the
liquid flow at will out of A, A. A, A A A, etc., flow through the stuff-tanks and then
dran them off to B, B B, B B B, etc. In order to carry out these operations a
considerable number of pipes as well as slides, cocks and valves etc. are necessary.
The stuff-tanks F are here drawn as circles, as they may be of any shape.
The most suitable shapo however appears to be that which is shown on
Sheets 3 to 5.
In the drawing horizontal boilers C, CC, CCC, etc. are inserted in the respective
pipes L, LI, LL L, forming the direct lower connecting from A to B, A. A to B B,
A A A to B B B. The boilers C, CC, C C C etc. aro nothing more than an
enlargement of the pipes L, L L, etc. furming a basin with a large surface in order
that when the installation is of great extent, as is for instance unavoidable in the
juxtaposition of four stuff-tanks Fas shown in the drawing,-and when the
communication with the latter are connected to the pipes conducting the liquid
from A, A A etc., is made simultaneously for a great number of tanks F thus
causing a great quantity of fluid to be withdrawn suddenly, this fluid may flow
uniformly to the different apparatus and out of the pipes; without interruptions and
sudden Howings etc. Thus an intermediate tauk is here created, subject to the
presse from A, A A etc., but equalizing the slight variations in pressure which
arise when the tanks Fare put in communication with the fluid. From these
intermediate tanks for each stuff-tank F pipes 1, 11, 111, lead upwards to
the different departments of the especial valves V, V₁ (later to be described and
called revolver-valves). The lower part of these valves communicates with the
tanks F. in two directions, through a ring-shaped pipe K going to the upper and
as well as then to the lower end of F; the same is repeated for each apparatus F.
According as to bow the four-way cock h,, which is inserted, where the valve-
box V passes into the circular pipe K, is adjusted, the fluid coming from V passes
either towards the right half of K, entering from above into I, then passing out
at the bottom, and again passing upwards in the left half of K through the four-
way-cock, or to the left side of K, then downwarils & upward to the right,

page_text: through and then above again through the four-way cock and from here
through the pipes L, L, L, L₁ L₁ L, and the like, attached to the former,
according to the position of the three-way cocks h, and h₁ in the tanks B, BB,
BBB etc.
From here the liquid arrives by means of the pumps P. P, P.
P,P, P. etc. and the return pipes R, RR, RRR etc. back to the tank A or AA,
AAA etc.
Instead of connecting the tanks F, as is drawn here on Sheet 1, singly with the
connecting-pipes L, L, L, LL L, etc. or the intermediate tanks C, CC, CCC
on the one hand and the carry-off pipes L L L L L L etc. or the collecting
tanks B, B B, B B B etc. on the other hand, every pair of tanks F, as shown on
Sheets 2, 3, 4 and 5, or 3, 4 and more stuff tanks may be joined to form a battery
and be connected together to the respective supply and carry-off pipes and tanks.
Furthermore, besides the liqnid tanks A, AA, AAA etc. together with their
pipes, tanks B. B B, BBB etc. and if necessary the boilers C, CC, CCC etc.
other reservoirs for vapours, gases etc. with corresponding pipes may be used in
order according to need, to make them act alternativly on the materials that are to
be treated, e.g. boilers D.
When principally a chief bath contained and circulating in the tanks A, B, C,
and their connecting pipes is used, then for several so called secondary baths
which are used less often, besides their tanks A. A, A. A A, etc. which form the
hydrostatic columo, ouly a single tank B B together with the corresponding pipes
and pumps may be provided, which in their entirety must alternately serve the
baths coming from AA, AAA etc., and returning thither, as shown in by the
arrangement on Sheets 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Thereby a saving in boilers, pipes etc. and a simplification and cheapening of
the whole apparatus is obtained. This arrangement and its manner of working is
described further on.
The boilers B, BB, BBB etc. may, instead of being arranged all one behind
the other as drawn on Sheet 1, be placed all one next the other or one above tho
other and either upright or horizontal; furthermore these boilers may have
different constructions such as for instance on Sheet 2 to 5 the boilers B, and B B.
How many such boilers are to be used, depends upon the treatment, which the
yarns have to undergo. When dyeing indigo blue for instance the two boilers B
and B B, as drawn ou Sheets 2 to 5 and explained further on are sufficient ;
B serving for the indigo bath and BB for the clean water for rinsing, while for
dyeing with diamine the 3 boilers B, B B and B BB are necessary, B containing
the diamine bath, B B the diazo or nitrite bath and B B B the development bath.
As already stated, in this process is new and essential: 1) that the air is
excluded during the whole process of dyeing, from the shutting of the door of the
tank after the yarns have been put in, until the door is reopened in order to
take out the ready dyed and dried yarns, 2) that one works with hydrostatic
pressure. For this in the following are given the explanation and confirmation
and illustrating examples.
The total exclusion of air during all operations plays a great rôle in many
dyeing-processes but especially in indigo-dyeing; for when air is admitted the
bath oxydizes and in consequence no longer acts on the yarns, and must therefore
be replaced by new ones or be regonerated by the application of reducing means.
This therefore necessitates a great supply of baths ready for use and a great
consumption of reducing means e.g. hydrosulphite for regenerating an indigo bath.
As the results of working for several weeks with an apparatus erected by me have
shown, when the indigo bath was withdrawn from the formerly open bath roservoir,
three times the amount of reduction means were necessary, as are used now when
the bath is taken from the closed tauk A.
In my apparatus the indigo-bath which is developed in a tank-the air being
excluded-uuder a layer of oil, is subjected to a high pressure by the compression
of the air enclosed in this boiler above the bath to a desired degree, which can be
exactly regulated by means of the air-cock attached to A. Thus the air enclosed

page_text: acts on the bath as an elastic cushion, and the oxygen contained in this air acts
only in the beginning as an oxydizing agent on the bath, until it is used up or is
dead and without action. In the same manner the air acts as an oxydizing agent
on the surface of the bath when the latter arrives in the tanks B and C,.but only
for a short time, for soon the bath flows out by the cocks supplied in the uppermost
parts of B and C; thus all the air has escaped, the cocks are alosed, and no
further action of the air on the bath is possible during the process of dyeing.
If instead of the air-cushion in A some other neutral gas is used e.g. nitrogen,
all oxidation in A would be avoided.
This air or gas-cushion in my apparatus above the liquid column is quite new
and characteristic. It prevents the shocks of the pumps having any effect on the
liquid in the pipes or the dyeing-apparatus.
The arrangement of the working with hydrostatic pressure before the dyeing-
apparatus and with a vacuum behind it, is, as already stated, very advantageous
and permits to use every technical differential difference of pressure, e.g. up to
6 atmosph. in the entering or passing out of reagents in F. The textile stuffs that
are to be treated offer different kinds of resistance to the reagents that are flowing
through. In treating the stuffs the point is not always to use the greatest difference
for the passing in and out of the reagents (in this case it would arrive that the
material would be compressed too much and the filtration would be stopped) but
also to create in the inaterial un easily changing inner pressure, whereby the
reagents are forced to enter into the cellular walls. The latter has not been
sufficiently taken into account in all former apparatus; the well-known circulation-
apparatus effect the pressure of the liquid either by means of steam or directly by
a pump; here tho "motor power" acts directly on the material to be treated. But
a uniform action cannot be obtained by these means, because on the one hand
steam-preasure varies in its effect on account of rarefaction and expansion and ou
the other hand every rotating pump causes little shocks and whirlpools, which are
not paralysed by a short bent pipe.
While the circulation-apparatus (apart from the suction apparatus) only make
use of the dynamic differential pressure and therefore can only work with one stuff'
tank our invention makes use of the static pressure, which remains constant by
means of a pump, water column and larger filling-vessels. A direct circulation by
means of a pump to and from the stuff-tank does not take place, but only a
circulation about these tanks, which are treated by cocks from two sides, once
with the static fluid pressure and then with the vacuum which is formed in the
circulation.
While formerly only one stuff-tank was connected with the motor or other
pressure apparatus necessary for the differential pressure, in consequence of their
separate arrangement from a circulation which is always kept up by pressure and
vacuum, many tanks can be used. None of the apparatus at present known with
only one stuff-tank was able to make the static inner pressure act at will on the
material to be dyed or bleached. With them it is always a case of changing the
differential pressure at the points of operating of the goods. While in the method
formerly in use with open bath-tanke, when the work was performed only by
suction by the vacuum, just the tops of the hobbins or kops that were to be dyed
often remained insufficiently dyed, by the process, herein described with vacuum and
with hydrostatic pressure i.e. with suction and pressure at the same time a thorough
dyeing of the material, also in the tips of the kops is obtained. This is easily
understood by a dyer, for when the tips of the kops are not thoroughly dyed in the
other process, the reason is that the kops are mostly too long, i.e. of such a kind in
which the final winding of the threads at the tips lay themselves upon the final fine
openings of the kops spindle, thus closing them.
If liquid is sucked through the spindle the threads are liable to be pressed still
closer to these openings, sometimes even entering them, thus keeping out the liquid
and preventing it acting on the thrends; but if liquid is forced through the spindle,
the threads are on the contrary pushed away from the opening in the spindle,

page_text: covered by them and are then permeated by the liquid and dyed. The thorough
dyeing of the thickest and closest webs is furthered and accelerated by making the
liquid flow through several times now from one ond and then from the other end of
the spindle-end, thus with a changing direction of the current. The figures
on Sheet 2 show the necessary positions of the cocks in this oporation. The bath
comes in both cases from, the (not drawn) reservoir A, forming the hydrostatic
pressure column, passes upwards from the intermediato reservoir C through
pipe into the cock h, or if there are moro pipes coming from reservoirs
from A A, A A A etc. (as drawn by dotted lines) into the revolver-valve V,
which takes the place of the cock, and from here into the four-way cock h The
latter in the position of Fig. 1 is flowed through from a to d; then the bath goes
downwards through pipe, to the right through pipe then through the
apparatus FF froin below upwards, thereupon above to the left through tube 4,
back into the fourway cock, and now passing through its second passage from b to c
downwards through the three-way-cock offering a passage frome to a and
through the three-way cock A, below, opeu frum a to e, thereupon through pipe ↳
into the pipe of reservoir B so as to enter below the level of the fluid contained
therein.
In Fig. 2 the fourway-cock is turned 90 degrees; all the other cocks retain
their former position, and therefore the direction of the bath, from the four-way
cock h, until back again to it and through the reservoir F, just the reverse of the
former direction as in Fig. 1 as indicated by the arrowe.
After the essential improvements of my process have been explained I pass to
a more accurate description of the whole apparatus shown in detail on Sheets 3-5,
and intended especially for dyeing indigo blue.
This apparatus consists chiefly of the tanks A, C and B which hold the indigo
bath, as well as of the tank B B for the wash-liquid (clear-water) and of the
vacuum-boiler D which is in connection with the air-pump. A is the reservoir for
the hydrostatic pressure and is in connection at the bottom by means of pipe 4, of
boiler C. and by means of pipe 4, and 4, with the boiler B. The latter in this case
is Tshaped and composed of a "borizontal and a vertical cylindrical body. This
peculiar shape is explained by the fact, that it is essential for indigo-dyeing to carry
off the baths used in the reservoirs below the level, in order to prevent the formation
of foam and that a horizontal position of the reservoir is advantageous for this
purpose. Now in reservoir B au ascending and descending float S, which is to act
on the safety-valve 4, is used, and for this motion of the float ie. its guidance, a
vertikal reservoir is more suited than a horizontal one, for which reason a vertical
cross-piece is added at one end to the horizontal reservoir. This cross-piece as well
as the water-reservoir B B, is provided in its entire height with a fluid gange, so as
to enable the level of the bath to be seen at any time in B.
The latter is automatically regulated by the above-named float S which is
connected in such a manner by means of suitable cords or rods with the weighted-
levers of the safety-valve which is inserted below between pipe, and that if
the bath flows off too much in B, the valve is opened by the sinking of the float
and liquid flows out of C to B, until the normal level in B is again attained.
On the top plate of the vertical part of B there are two pipe-couplings one of
pipe the other of 4 Pipe gues from the vertical part of the reservoir B. first
of all upwards, then horizontally over the horizontal part of the reservoir. From
these horizontal pipes several vertical pipes I, branch off' downwards and run below
level into the horizontal part of the reservoir B. To each of these pipes there goes
a borizontal pipe 4 from the shoulder of the three-way-cock h. While pipe 4
serves to carry off the bath from cock to reservoir B the adjustement between the
vacuum in the reservoir B. and the level bath is made through pipe the pipes 19
that go downwards and pipe, then by opening the valve in connection on the one
haud with tank B. and on the other with the lower part of chamber 111 of the
tank F (through pipe ) the bath is carried off from tank F. Pipe is connected
by return-valve R, and pipe l, with tank C and the air-pump. It is of advantage

page_text: to
to choose the pipes 19 of a smaller transverse section than their supply pipes
This has the effect of the bath coming from 4, not being able to flow off
so quickly into the vessel B. as it comes in through ; thus a stoppage of
the bath occurs upwards in the pipes 19, whereby the bath is made
How off downwards below a bath column standing above it, which forms
an absolutely air-tight closure, while otherwise in. the vacuum above no
perfect absence of air is to be obtained, so that the indigo bath flowing out
of into 19 would still be oxidised to a certain degree. This is avoided by this
arrangement which only allows the small surface of the bath column corresponding
to the section of 19 to enter into contact with the vacuun air. In its bottom the
vertical part of the reservoir B has supply pipes 4, from the safety valve S and a
pipe, for the leading off of the bath to the pump 1. The pump pumps the bath
through the return-valve R, and pipe to reservoir A. A suitable heating-
contrivance may be inserted in this pipe. Tho return-valve R2 serves to prevent
the return of the bath into the reservoir B. after the pump I has ceased to work.
Between the reservoirs C and B, as shown on Sheets 3 and 5, the treatment
apparatus F are arranged next to each other.
is
The apparatus Fare, divided into 3 spaces 1, 11, 111, of which the middle space
is destined for the goods. Space III ie. the upper part of the reservoir
connected by means of pipe l, and the lower part i.e. space I of F is connected by
means of or, with the horizontal outlets b and d of the four-way cock . The
vertical outlets of the cock are in connection with the supply or discharge of all
baths, gases and vapours.
The supply is carried out by the vertical shoulder a of the four-way-cock h
In order to make it possible to introduce the baths necessary for dyeing easily and
without too great interruptions in any order desired, a so-called revolver-valve V
is fitted up above a i.e. a box in which there are according to the number of the
active baths, gases, vapours etc. a corresponding number of valves
or vv, vvv etc. In the drawing, for the sake of simplifying matters only five
valves are drawn, which are connected by pipes with the hydrostatic pressure-
columns, vie. for the chief bath through v by means of pipe 12 from the reservoir C,
1 for air, gases and vapours, v, for the secondary baths or when indigo dyeing is
going on for clear water for washing by means of pipe 4. Any one of these pipes
is opened by opening the corresponding valve by means of an attached lover which
is adjusted and weighted with counterweights. Each valve bears an easily visible
china plate, marking the baths or gas reservoirs.
The baths or gases and vapours are carried off by the vertical shoulder c of the
four-way-cock h, in connection with cook h. This cock h, has two discharge-
shoulders a and b. The first shoulder a is in connection with reservoir B by pipe ₁
or, as well as by three-way-cock h₁ alter a has been opened towards b, while
after the ways a-c of the cock h₁ a connection is made from resorvoir D to the
air-pump through the pipes 4, and . The reservoir D (vacuum roservoir)
serves to regain the particles of chief dyeing bath which have remained behind in
the goods on air or gases being admitted through the material. This reservoir D
has in the interior two tubes corresponding to the section of the suction-pipe,
(marked with dotted lines in the drawings Sheet No. 5), and having perforations at
the closed end. This perforated end lies towards the bottom at the entry, and
where it passes out to the air-pump is directed upwards in order that no bath may
be carried away by the air-pump.
The second shoulder, b, of the cock h, is in connection by pipe, with the
reservoir B B. The reservoir B B takes for the wash fluid the place of the
reservoir B for the indigo-bath. It forms a vertical tank and is provided with a
gauge-glass in its entire length. On its top-plate it has a riveted-on shoulder
which is connected by the pipe, with the inserted return-valve R, and by pipe 16,
just as tank B with tank C or the air-pump. On its bottom this tank B B has a
waste pipe n for carrying off the fluid entering the tank.

page_text: For the tank B B it is necessary to have, as tank B has reservoir A, either a
connection with a flow of water, or where that does not exist a tank (not shown in
the drawing) AA in order to effect when necessary a circulation through the
stuff-reservoir F to B B and from here back to A A. In this case the waste-
pipe 21 under B B leads to pump II which then takes back through pipe 4, the
fluid from B B to A A.
As we have just stated, all the secondary bath-tanks A A, A A A, A A A A etc.
may be connected by special pipes to B B, so that after one of the valves v, vv,
vvv etc. of the revolver-valve-box V, having opened each secondary bath going
through the tanks F and acting on the material in them, flows into tank B B and
from here is continuously carried back by pump II through return-valve R. and
pipe to the secondary bath tanks A A, A AA by the revolver valve box V₁
drawn at the top of Sheets 4 and 5, from which the respective secondary bath is
carried to its own tanks by opening the corresponding valve vl 1, 1 lvl etc.
In such an arrangement one must provide connection with a supply of water (not
drawn here) with cleansing-apparatus (rose etc.) in. order to be able quickly to flush
tank B B, pump II, the lower part of the valve-box V, which is used in common
by the auxiliary baths and the pipes which are used in common and to cleanse
them from the parts reninining behind from the different baths when they are
likely to soil the next bath that is to flow through or to have any unfavourable
influence on it and therefore also the material in the tank F. The valve-box V₁
may also be connected directly to pump II, according to whether the arrangement
of the premises or auxiliary bath tanks make it advisable or permissible.
The apparatus we have now described is worked in the following manner:
Before beginning the process of dyeing tank B and C are filled, and four-way-
cock.h, is shut, while the air-cocks on B and C are open. When the tanks are
filled, which is indicated by the flowing out of some of the bath at the air-cocks
one closes these cocks, sets all the pumps (pump I, II and the air-pumps) in motion
and transfers the bath from B'to A.
Tank B is emptied so far that a vacuum is formed abuvo the standard level of
the fluid. As soon as the level of the bath in B sinks below the ordinary level,
float S1 opens the safety-valve S which opens the pipe to tank C, whereby a
circulation of the bath froin tank B through pump I and pipe 4, to A, from here
through pipe, tank C and pipes 4 and 4 with safety valve S back to tank B is
eet in motion (Sheet 6, Fig. 1). At the same time the tanks B B and D are
deprived of air by the air-pump, while pump 11 first works without transferring
the bath, until later on tank B B is connected with one of the secondary baths.
By the use of my apparatus the following and successive processes are made
possible in the procedure which shall now be described for the principal bath.
1.) The stuff to be treated is deprived of air before the action of the baths.
For this end cock h, is adjusted so that the way from a to c is open (to the tauk D)
cock h to open the way from c to a. If thereupon the four-way-cock h, is so
adjusted as to open the passage & to c, the air-pump connected to boiler D deprives
of air by means of D and pipes 4. 4, and the pipes and connections 4, in front
of the tanks F also the tanks themselves and the pipes l, and 4, behind besides
the lower part of the revolver-valve-hox V which is connected at the passage d-a
of the four-way-cock h. As soon as the vacuum-manometers in F no longer show
any further rarefaction of the air, the deprivation of air is complete, and now
cock is placed so as to open the way from a to b-thus shutting off the pipe.
from the air reservoir D, and opening pipe, to tank B.-and at the same time in
the revolver-valve-box V the valve is opened for the first or dyeing bath, so that
it can flow to the tanks F. (Sheet 6, Fig. 1).
2.) A treatment of the textile stuffs by the bath in tank F in a state of
rest (a) as well as in motion (6) entirely as desired, and according to whether
the nature of, the bath aul the material to be treated render it advisable or
pecessary.

page_text: OL CHE Dach m
Cate of rest on tako prace a) to a vacuum,
B) under static pressure. It takes place :
a.) In a vacuum by shutting off the valve vor v etc. in the valve-box V,
cock h, being open (Sheet 6 Fig. 4).
3.) Under pressure by closing the cock h, valves or v₁ etc. being open
(Sheet 6 Fig. 5).
.) The action of the bath in motion (circulation) can take place:
a a.) Always in one direction (the process which is also the only ons carried
out in all procedures and apparatus hitherto known (Sheet 2, Fig. 1 or 2).
b.) In a direction which is alternately exactly the opposite or with
alternating point of attack (a thing impossible in all processes hitherto
known and only made possible by the new invention) (Sheet 2, Fig. 1
and 2 alternately).
a.) Of course in the new apparatus the action of the bath may always be in
the same direction, as well in the tanks Frising from below upwards ns
also descending in them from above downwards, while all other known
apparatus on account of their arrangement only provide for and permit of
one way and one direction for the bath on its passage through the tanks F.
It goes without saying that it is the same for every apparatus also for mine,
whether the bath goes continually from above downwards or continually from
below upwards, while the change, only possible in my apparatus, of the
direction as carried out formerly offers great advantages. Therefore if my
apparatus is used, the constaut action in one direction is novor carried out
but always only
b.) The action with change of direction. This is done, as we have already
described, by alteruately adjusting the four-way-cock h₂ to open the
passages ab, d, and a-d, b-c, whereby the bath flows alternately from
above downwards and from below upwards through the tanks F, as shown
in the drawing Sheet 2, Fig. 1 and 2.
According to the different positions of the cocks the following various
conditions of pressure for the one as well as for the other direction. of the
bath are possible making it possible to adapt the action of the baths on the
goods entirely according to different character of the latter as well as of
the baths.
.) On the one side of F there is a vacuum, on the other side pressure. This
is the case when the dye can flow in through cock h, and flow out throngh
cock (Sheet 6 Fig. 3).
3.) On both sides of F there is a vacuum. This takes place when cock /, is
quite open and cock h, is so far throttled as the desired difference between
the height of the two vacuums render it necessary. (Shect 6, Fig. 6.)
This condition may also be obtained, if besides cock h, is also quite
opened, but the valve v throttled i.e. the flow of dye diminished. (Sheet 6,
Fig. 7.)
.) There is pressure on both sides of F. This is obtained when cock h, is
quite open, h (Sheet 6, Fig. 8.) or, (Sheet 6 Fig. 9) is throttled or the
flow of dye is otherwise e.g. by valve R₁ so far diminished as the desired
difference in pressure on both sides of F necessitates.
Emptying of the tank F of the dye; after auy further flow of dye has been
by shutting the valve v, or o, etc. in the revolver-valve V, the valve v fixed
pipes which lies deeper than the tanks and is connected with them below,
ned by a turn of the band lever i. At the same time in order that on account
diminution of vacuum or increase of pressure caused by the flowing in of the
id from F into B, and the vacuum resulting above the flowing out fluid in F
he pipes, between the. revolver-valve V above and the valve V, below at B,
lus pressure, hindering the entire flowing off of the liquid from F. or the
pipes, may not arise in B, the vacuum prosent abovo the Huid in B is

page_text: connected with the space above the out-flowing bath in F, so that the vacuum
Brising here is balanced by that in B.
This is done by adjusting the cock h₁ so as to open passage a-b, the cock h, to
open passage a-c, and the four way-cock A, to open c-b so that F is connected
with the vacuum in the vertical tank B by means of pipe 4, the cocks ha, ha, h
pipes, and 40 (Sheet 6 Fig. 10).
4.) Withdrawal by suction of the particles of dye retained in the goods in tank F
and recovery of Fame, by passing air, gases or vapours, at will through F. To
this end cock h, is again adjusted to open passage a-c, whereby the passage of F
to tank D. is opened; at the same time the connection is formed with the gus-, air-
or steam-tank in question, by opening its cut-off-contrivance connected with the
four-way-cock ; e.g. in this case one of the valves, say in the valve-hox V
(Sheet, Fig. 10) su that air, gas or steam pass successively the following parts:
The four-way-cock h pipes l, tank F, pipes, 4, once more the four-way-cock h
then the three-way-cock h, and then go through h, and pipe to D, where the
particles of fluid that have beeu carried alone are collected while the air-pump
carries off the air (or gas or steam) which has entered D and restores the vacuum
in D above the collected fluid. When the used up gus (this does not take place in
the case of air and steam) is to be collected again, the air pump presses it back
again to the gas-reservoir.
Just as the succession of the various processes has been described for the dyeing
bath, it also takes place for each of the secondary baths in which case, when the
different reservoirs A A, CC, BB, etc., as drawn on Sheet 1, form with their pipes
a circulation all to itself, exactly the corresponding connections have to be made,
the saine corks shut off and the same positions of the cocks and valves made, as
have been mentioned above for the dyeing-bath; when on the contrary all the
secondary baths are connected to the tank B B, as is assumed in the drawings
Sheet 3 to 5, the following changes take place. In the revolver-valve box V the
valve which supplies the respective secondary bath say vv, is opened, and likewise
in revolver-valve-box V, a corresponding valve, say r and finally in cock, the
paerage is opened from c to b instead of from c to a, whereby instead of the tank B
which is connected for the dyeing bath, now, B B and instead of pump I, pump II
is inserted in the circulation, while pump I does no work (Sheet 7, Fig. 1).
The cut-off R, situated above the pipe 11 of tank B is closed and R, above B B
opened. The circulation for all secondary baths is now composed of a piece used
in common of the lower end of the valve-box V to that of V1 thus consisting of
the four-way-cock, of the ring-shaped pipe about the tanks F marked K in
Sheet 1, of the three-way-cock, of the pipe 17 going from it to the tank B B,
of this tauk itself, its waste-pipe la, pump II and of the pipe going back from
it to the valve V, and of a special piece from V 1 to V for each secondary bath
cousisting of the valves 1 v1, lvl etc., the corresponding pipes starting from
them RR, RRR etc., the respective dye-tanks AA, AAA etc. and the pipes
going off from them riz. LL, LLL, etc. (Sheet 1) with or without the arrange
ment of intermediate tanks CC, CCC etc. (without intermediato tanks marked
with dotted lines on Sheet 7, Fig. 1) to the valves vv, vvv etc. in the box V.
If we take this for granted the working of the apparatus for each of the various
processes, e.g. for a secondary bath from A A with the valves and 11 is as
follows:
1.) The air is deprived exactly as in the chief bath.
2.) The textile stuffs are treated in F viz.
a.) When the bath is in a state of rest
a.) Under vacuum. The valve vs is shut off, cock, opened (Sheet 7 Fig. 2).
8.) Under pressure: The cock h, is shut, valve vv opened (Sheet 7 Fig. 3).
b.) With a circulating bath: Cock, and valve are opened. According
as the four-way-cock h, forme the two passages a-baud c-d or a-d and
b-e the bath goes from above downwards or from below upwards through
the tank F. Thus one can let (Sheet 7 Fig. 4 and 5)

page_text: aa.) The bath always flow in one of the two directions, or
bb.) Change the direction of the bath several times, by reversing cock h,.
Here the different conditions of pressure mentioned for the chief bath
viz. a, ẞ, may be again obtained according to the position of the cocks h
and h, as well as of valve ur, in place of r₁.
3.) Emptying of the tank F of the secondary bath, and simultaneously
4.) The particles of dye still remaining in the goods in F are sucked off by the
working of the pump 11 to B B, as soon as valve v vis shut off, cock h, turned so
as to open passage a-b aud h, to open passage c-b and the valve v, which is in
connection with an air or gas reservoir is opened (Sheet 7 Fig. 6) so that air or
gas arrives through 1, h, (from a to b) and pipes l, in the tanks F.
When the dye has run out of tank F this is indicated by the change of pressure
in B B marked by the vacuum-gauge in tank B B.
The material tanks F drawu on Sheet 8 are intended, as already mentioned, for
the reception of the spun fibres and besides being of various forms of construction
are of two different systems-simple and double acting apparatus i.e. those provided
with a
simple division into chambers and those with several divisions for the
reception of the multiple quantities of material. The simple acting apparatus in
its plainest forin-Sheet 8, Fig. 1 and 2 consists of a box shaped wrought or cast
iron body, which may consist in its length of one piece Fig. 2 or, as drawn in
Fig. 1, of several pieces, a bottom A. and a cover B, and has below the supply
pipe a.
The inner space of this body is divided into three spaces I, II and III by the
insertion of piece c of a semi disc shaped or similar cross section and by a lid
shaped pieced on the upper side of the above inserted piece and fitting its
circumference. The body is closed at the back by the back plate e containing the
discharge pipe b, oud in frout by a door f, which is firmly pressed against it by a
suitable mechanism g. Of course the door, the various pieces of the hollow body,
as well as the inserted piece d are well secured at the lateral guide ribs at i and k
against air and pressure by intermediate layers of lead or rings.
The arched part of the inserted cover piece d is pierced with holes for the
reception of the spools aud kops; the latter are inserted by means of tubes with
sieve like perforated walls in connecting corks, which are put into the perforations
of the plate d or are melted on. The piece c having a disc like or similar shape
is also provided with a number of perforations, the total transverse sections of
which about correspond to double the transverse sections of the supply pipe
entering 'from below. The material tanks containing the fibres may also, as
already stated, he arranged as double apparatus. See Fig. 3 and 4 and this is
effected by dividing the space III above the plate d into two chambers 111* and
111 by the insertion of a second plate d₁; furthermore a second supply pipe b₁
leads from the space III, to the back plate e. In Fig. 3 a middle piece is sel
in between the bottom A and the cover B of the body of the tank. Fig. 5 and 6
show another construction of the simple apparatus, drawn in Fig. 1 and 2, which is
especially suitable for dyeing with indigo blue.
In place of the cover shaped pieco d, which slides in and out at the same and
forms the partition between spaces II and I11 is a special plate h, sliding in aud
out and arranged to serve for the reception of the kops and lying closely under a
bottom plate D onst out of the same piece of metal as the cover B and forming
the partition between spaces III. and 11. This bottom plate I as well as the
plate for supporting the kops is perforated in such a manner that, if the
plate is completely inserted all the perforations of one plate correspond with
those of the other. In order to prevent scum, liquids etc., penetrating, during
the circulation of air, gases, steam, vapours etc. in the direction from space III
to space II pipes of corresponding length & projecting upwards are fixed in the
holes of plate D, so that the scum, liquids etc. left behind on the plate D after
the dyeing fluid has been let out of space 111 and from there canust reach the

page_text: kops and thus cannot any longer act detrimentally on the uniform action of
the dye.
It is evident that this arrangement can be applied to both the simple and
double tanks. The space below D is divided into two spaces by an oval or
semi-disc shaped piece E, which is hung in the inner one II for the material to
be dyed and the outer one I serving for the flowing in or out of the dyeing
fluid etc.
Thus again we have here the three spaces I, II, and III.
A channel m runs round the lower part of space I and is joined at the back
with the supply and discharge pipes and at the same time form a support for the
tank. This channel is closed towards space I by a perforated metal plate n, the
openings of which are together one and a half times as large as the transverse
section of the supply pipe. This channel therefore serves as sink for intercopting
the scum formed when the fluid is sucked out of the material at each dyeing
operation by means of air or gas. It also carries away the scum, water being
made to flush through before the entrance of new dye liquids. The piece E is
likewise perforated and most closely in the part which lies as high as the supply
channel m above that the perforations grow scarcer and scarcer till finally at the
top there are none at all.
Thereby on the one hand the dyeing liquid is somewhat throttled and hindered
when penetrating to the material in space II so that it must rise regularly and
slowly and exercise an equal influence on all the fibres and on the other hand the
liquid is sucked from the material out of space III to space I in a perpendicular
direction thus preventing any uneven spirting in space II.
In the apparatus shown in Fig. 7 and 8 the separate pipes G. G₁ G, are
employed instead of the plate d. These are perforated and provided with small
tubes o for the reception of the kops etc., which are guided with the help of the
drivers into the small guide grooves s arranged on both sides of the took.
The space III is thus moved from the upper part to the middle of the tank and
the bottom in the cover B of the tank can be dispensed with. See Fig. 3.
As will appear from Fig. 8 the pipe pieces G, G1, G2 are laid close together
and made tight by india rubber or suchlike rings placed in small grooves between
the different flanges p so that they form a single pipe. It goes without saying that
the pipe may be made of a single piece. The advantage of this arrangement
compared with the other is that a very great number of kops can be arranged at
the same time on the circumference of the different pipe parts G, G1, G2, which
are everywhere provided with little tubes i.e. on the circumference of the whole
pipe formed by them furthermore the filling & working of the apparatus are
much simpler. The supply pipe m as well as the small tubes o are for the purpose
of preventing scum, liquids etc. reaching the kops from the space Ill-just the
same as in the construction shewn in Fig. 5 and 6. A piece E corresponding to
the suspended perforated piece E in Fig. 5 and 6 is here arranged in like manner
separating the spaces I and II. In Fig. 5, 6, 7 and 8 the door is made tight
against the tank by a press-screws at the edge. Of course the press lever closure
might also be used here and vice-versa in Figs. 5 to 8 the scrow closure at the edge.
Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 shew a form of the apparatus according to Figa. 7 and 8,
which is not intended for dyeing cops but for dyeing whole bales of stuff. The
central pipe G, G that forms space III of the dyeing apparatus is made of a single
cylinder of metal plate, which is guided on a rotating shaft W passing through the
tank and mounted imperviously in front and behind.
This shaft lies in the axle R R and rotates in bearings in front in the door F at P
and behind in the pipe T at Q. These bearings enclose the shaft tightly by moans
of suitable packing and leathering i.e. stuffing box.
The tube G G or the
space III occupied by it appears to be sufficiently tightly closed against space II
by the ring-shaped ledges, which enclose the fore or hind end of the tube G G.
for a certain length.

page_text: The results ie that the tube G, G, when, as shown in the drawing, it is connected
to the shaft W by wedges tt, arranged in the shaft W and entering in corresponding
grooves of the naves of the wheels t, can rotate moving tightly & simul
taneously with W in the tank. The little tubes o which allow the dye liquids etc.
to para through are entirely placed in the inside of the tube GG, so that its
surface is flat and even.
This form of the apparatus is especially suited for dyeing entire pieces of
wooven fabric, which are rolled on the tube G G as a drum and then when the
shaft W is made to rotate, are rotated with it and G G.
The apparatus is worked in the following manner :
After the press screws u u which hold the door to the tank and are spread
over the whole circumference, are loosened, the door f is moved away as far as
possible on the shaft W projecting sufficiently far before the tank F, from F:
thereby causing the tube G G on the shaft to be drawn forwards and out of the
tank when tho naves y with their grooves slide over the spring wedges t. Then
the piece of stuff which has been completely dyed and is rolled on GG is unrolled
or unreeled and a new piece that is to be dyed rolled on GG. GG can be rotated
by hand or if the tube drum G. G is attached in any way e.g. with the press screw to
(drawn in Fig. 10) in the first nave q, lightly on W, it can be rotated by turning
this shaft.
The door, can, as may be seen in Figs. 11 and 12, when it is moved, be guided
besides on the shaft W on one or more rods S t, and be provided with handles H to
facilitate its handling. If it is guided on rods S t, it remains stationary when the
pieces are rolled on or off G G by the rotation of the shaft W, otherwise it can
rotate with the shaft. As Fig. 3 shews, G G could also be connected with the.
door by a kind of neck bearing or neckring in such a manner that GG slides
to and fro together with the door on the shaft W, but nevertheless, when fis
held fast by the screws u u, can rotate with the shaft. W.
In order to attach G G on W in the inside of the tank in order that it may be
carried along when the shaft rotates,, some, other arrangement might be employed
instead of the spring wedges eg. the shaft W might for the necessary length. be-
made with four sides.
The dyo liquids etc. are moved in this apparatus in the same manner & direction
as indicated for the other forms. i.e. either, through the upper or the lower pipe
Bucket of the body T into the tube G G or space III from here through the
little tubes o to the material ie. into space II & then flowing off into space I or
vice cerad from space I to space II through the material and the little pipes o
into the pipe G G (space 111) and flowing off from here through T; in the same
manner air, gases, vapours etc., can go in the one or the other direction through
the tank and the material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven
tion, and in, what manner the same is to be porformed, I declare, that what I
claim is:
1.) A process for dyeing, bleaching, washing and similarly treating of span
fibres and textile, stuffs, thereby distinguished that the stuffs as well as their
treatment tanks are deprived of air before the entry of the bath, that the bath is
supplied, under hydrotastic pressure from one side to the stuffs and in carried off
under vacuum, ou the other side and is kept by a great circulation always in its
normal condition, the normal conditions of pressure being restored, that further the
dye acts.alternately flowing in two opposite directions on the stuff's in the tanks,
that finally the stuffs are treated in several tanks placed near each other and
capable of hoing connected and disconnected, that they can be treated in each tank
with all the baths or gas air or steam currents necessary in the respective chemico-
technical processes in their fixed succession one after another without in the
meanwhile changing their position.
2.) The apparatus serving to carry out the new process of bleaching, dyeing

page_text: washing and similar treating of spun fibres and stuffs of every kind distinguished
by the arrangement of several stuff tanks F (or tank batteries) alongside of each
other inserted in a circular pipe K formed by the four way cook h, and the
pipes,&(for the purpose of obtaining a varying direction of the baths) in
connection with a circulation for each bath forined by the pressure-reservoirs A,
AA, AAA etc., the corresponding vacuum reservoirs B, BB, B B B etc. as well
as the supply pipes L, L L etc. from A to B, A A to B B etc. and the return-
pipes R, RR, from B to A, B B to A A etc. in such a manner that each supply
pipe can be connected to the one, each waste pipe to the opposite side of the four-
way cock h
3.) In the apparatus serving to carry out the new process the insertion, of
intermediate reservoirs C, C C, CCC in the supply pipes from A to B, A. A to
BB etc. in order to prevent concussions, interruptions and the like on the fluid
being withdrawn from A to F F.
4.) In the apparatus being conibined with intermediate reservoirs C, CC, CCC
the arrangement of safety valves S, SS, SS S in the pipe from C, CC etc.
to B, B B etc. each in counexiou with a float S, S S etc. provided in B, B B....
5.) In the apparatus for carrying out the new process the arrangement of
especial valves, called revolver-valves V which admit the baths and air, gas or
steam currents, consisting of several chambers alongside of each other separated
by partitions from each other & each connected with a pipe contained in the
bottom of each of the valves v, vv, von etc., above a common space leading to the
four-way cock h, (or any other pipe) so that when one of the valves is opened, one
of the upper chambers and the pipe attached to it is connected with the lower
space and its connecting pipe.
6.) A form of the apparatus carrying out the new process of bleaching, dyeing
washing etc. spun fibres in which for every secondary bath besides the dyeing hath
applied, with circulation A-F-B-A the pressure reservoirs A A, A AA ... are
present not however separate tanks B B, BBB.. but in which tank B B serves
for all secondary baths in such a manuer that a pump II carries back all fluids
entering B B from F immediately to AA or AAA etc. so that there belongs to
each secondary bath circulation a piece common to all-from the revolver valve V
distinguished under Claim 5.) through the tanka F, reservoir B B, pump II to a
corresponding revolver-valve Vand a separate picce-from V₁ to A. A or AAA
or A A A A etc. from here to V.
7.) A special arrangement of the tank B if stuffs are to be dyed with indigo
blue in form of "T"-consisting of a horizontal & a vertical tank-part in order to
allow the dye flowing from the apparatus to run directly through pipes / 9 into
the horizontal part of B below the level of the bath contained therein whereby
the formation of foam, which is injurious to the indigo dye, is avoided.
8.) In the apparatus carrying out the new process the arrangement of a
tank D for getting back the parts of dye generally remaining behind in the
tauks and the goods contained thereiua fact of a special importance with
expensive dyes e.g. indigo-this tank D being capable of being couneoted with the
air pump and the- tanks F & distinguished by the discharge pipe projecting into
the tank and closed at the end by a perforated bottom or head (strainer).
9.) In combination with the apparatus carrying out the now process of dyeing,
bleaching, washing and similar treating of epun fibres the tank for the reception
of the material to be dried, distinguished by the arrangement of the cover-piece d,
sliding in and out at the tank and piorced with holes for the reception of the spools,
and the pierced piece c of semi-disc shaped section, whereby the tank F is divided
into the spaces I, II and III, the middle of which (11) serves for the reception of
the cops, while the lower and the upper one (I and III) are provided with
supply-pipes.
10.) A multiple tank of the kind distinguished in Claim 9 in which for the
simultaneous treatment of a multiple quantity of material the space III above the
piece d is enlarged and by suitable inserted pieces d... divided into two or more

page_text: spaces III, 111 etc. of which III and then alternately the next fullowing space
but one, as space I serves for the reception of the kops.
11.) Improvement in the material tanks distinguished under 9) and 10) consisting
in the bottom piece D being made of one piece with & firmly joined to the cover
piece B while immediately under it a plate h can be pushed in and out for the
reception of the kops, both parts bottom piece D and plate h being provided with
corresponding perforations lying on each other.
12.) In the tanks as distinguished under 11) the arrangement of little tubes
projecting upwards, in the perforations of the bottom piece for the purpose of
retaining the injurious scum espacially indigo dyeing, above on the plate and not
allowing it to reach the material.
13.) In the tanks as distinguished under 11) the arrangement of a gutter m in
the lower part for the purpose of keeping back scum, mud etc. from the material
and for flushing these impurities out of the tank.
14.) Improvement in the tanks distinguished under 9) 10) 11) 12) and 13) con-
sisting in the piece d or instead of it in the plate D. and the plate h which can be
drawn out are dispensed with and instead of them a tube, which can be drawn out
and be divided into several pieces G₁ G, in the middle of the tank, enclosing the
space III aud carrying the kops towards the outside in perforations and little tubes
on its whole circumference & in its whole length.
15.) A form of the tank as distinguished under 14) for dyeing entire pieces in
which the pipe G G forming the space III encloses in its midst a shaft on which
it can be pushed in and out and with which it rotates in the inside of the tank, the
piece that is to be dyed being rolled round the pipe G G which is flat and perforated
on the outside.
16.) In the tank as distinguished under 15) the arrangement consisting in the
pipe rotating with the shaft also outside of the tank, this being caused by a
press-screw to, for the purpose of facilitating the rolling on and of the pieces.
17.) In the apparatus as distinguished under 15) & 10) an arrangement consisting
in the cover being guided laterally on rods St. and the cylinder G G being
connected firmly but rotatably with the cover f by a ring ..
Dated this 18th day of April 1896.
For BERNHARD THIES,
Bernh. Brockbues.