IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING AND BLEACHING FABRICS AND FIBROUS MATERIALS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING AND BLEACHING FABRICS AND FIBROUS MATERIALS,
AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME.”—A communication from abroad by
Albert Auguste Bastaert, of Paris, France, Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 25th April 1872.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING AND BLEACHING FABRICS
AND FIBROUS MATERIALS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved method of drying and bleaching
all kinds of vegetable and animal matters, whether in the form of fabrics,
threads, hanks, or raw filaments.

page_text: The improved method of drying consists in projecting by the means
herein-after described superheated steam mixed with air, heated or
otherwise, on to the matters in a moist condition.
The improved method of bleaching consists in projecting a mixture of
steam and bleaching gases on to the matters under treatment by the
means herein-after described.
The employment of these two processes in combination constitutes the
present Invention.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the annexed Drawing explain the method of
drying the fabrics, banks, or threads, and the action of the same. Steam
is supplied from a suitable generator by a pipe A to a steam chamber B,
having a purge cock a, whence it passes through another pipe having a
cock C to the superheating tubes D, placed in a furnace, as shown. The
steam after passing through the superheater is conducted by a pipe E,
having a pyrometer e for marking the temperature, to a distributor F,
provided with a series of pipes H, having perforations h, and with a
cock J. These pipes H are enclosed in a wood casing A, B, C, D,
Figuro 2, lined with sheet iron, and the fabric to be dried is passed
round the guide rollers L, L, within the casing a, b, c, d, chimney for
the escape of the vapor. In Figure 3, R, R', are rotating rollers for
carrying hanks of thread to be dried by projecting steam and air thereon
from pipes H.
The pipes I may be arranged horizontally instead of vertically as
before, and have a single row of perforations, as in Figure 4, or a double
or triple row, as in Figure 5, the steam being projected against one or
both faces of the fabric. The superheated steam escaping from the
orifices in the pipes beats the surrounding air, and causes a circulation
of the same to a greater or less degree, according to the quantity
admitted into the apparatus.
Figures 6 and 7 show the method of regulating the introduction
of air or gases for drying or bleaching fabrics. In Figure 6 the
air or bleaching gases are conducted by separate pipes into a
chamber m, n, o, p, containing the perforated pipe H, in which chamber
the air or bleaching gases mix with the steam, and are then projected
on the matters to be treated. The air may also be supplied by means
of a fan or blower. In Figure 7 the air.or bleaching gases, as the case

page_text: may be, drawn in at pipe B by the injector C become mixed with the
steam in the pipes H. For drying purposes I not only utilize the ten-
dency of superheated steam to absorb the water contained in the fabrics
or materials travelling over the jet pipe H, but also its pressure (which
may vary from 3 to 6 atmospheres), so that it may act with greater effect
on the materials under treatment. The steam after escaping in the form
of jets at the orifices in pipes H (which are placed very close together,
and made of a peculiar conical form), again combines and forms a thin
stream, which acts with greater or less intensity and in a more or less
heated condition, according to the distance of the jets from the materials
under treatment. This method of drying is consequently applicable to
all kinds and qualities of fabrics and materials whether linen, cotton,
wool, or silk by varying the temperature and pressure of the steam
employed.
Figure 8 shows a casing I, J, K, L, divided into a number of compart-
ments i, j,,, to prevent the cooling of the superheated steam or to
improve the action of the bleaching gases. The space occupied by the
steam whether mixed or not with air or bleaching gases should be
limited as much as possible so that the whole power of the steam may be
utilized for the purpose, this object being obtained by filling in the
chambers at T, T. The material under treatment is carried round sheet
iron cylinders R, which receive heat from the superheated steam and
impart it to the fabric, the latter being supported at back by bars t. The
steam and gases after use pass off at the chimney placed immediately
over the casing, and may be conducted to a suitable chamber where the
gases are separated for subsequent use.
Figure 9 shows a modified arrangement of the apparatus designed to
assist the evaporation during the drying operation. In this case the
central pipe H acts as a blast, but it may be replaced by a suitable fan
or blowing engine X.
Figure 10 shows an arrangement adapted for supplying two apparatus
at one time; A being the supply pipe of the superheated steam which
may be passed to the series of pipes B, B¹, or to one or other of the same
by simply adjusting the cock O.
It will be obvious that the apparatus may be used for drying all kinds
of materials, and for dressing yarns as an efficient substitute for hot air
drying stoves, drying cylinders, heating plates or pipes whose extended
surfaces cause a loss of heat.

page_text: Fabrics when treated with superheated steam in the manner described
also acquire a softness of touch which is not obtainable in any other
manner.
Lastly from the limited size of the drying apparatus it may be readily
combined with apparatus for dressing, printing, bleaching, or dyeing 5
fabrics, by arranging a series of perforated pipes at the points where
the fabric is transferred from one apparatus to the other.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th October 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN DRYING AND BLEACHING FABRICS AND FIBROUS MATERIALS, AND
IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," a communication to me from abroad by
Albert Auguste Bastaert, of Paris, France, Engineer, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent

page_text: Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say) :—
This Invention relates to an improved method of drying' and bleaching
all kinds of vegetable and animal matters in the form of fabrics, threads
(either single or in hanks), and raw filaments.
The method of drying consists in projecting, by the means herein-after
described, superheated steam mixed with air heated or otherwise on to
the matters while in a moist condition.
The method of bleaching consists in projecting a mixture of steam and
bleaching gases on to the matters under treatment by the means herein-
after described.
The employment of these two processes constitutes the present
Invention.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the annexed Drawing, explains the method of
drying the fabrics, hanks, or threads, and the action of the same. Steam
is supplied from a suitable generator by a pipe A to a steam chamber B,
having a purge-cock a, whence it passes through another pipe having a
cock O to the superheating tubes D placed in a furnace, as shown. The
steam after passing through the superheater is conducted by a pipe E
having a pyrometer e for marking the temperature to a distributor F
provided with a series of pipes H having perforations or nozzles h, and
with a cock J. These pipes H are enclosed in a wood casing A, B, C, D,
Figure 2, lined with sheet iron, and the fabric is passed round the guide
rollers L, L', within the casing. a, b, c, d, chimney for the escape of
the vapor. In Figure 3, R, R', are rotating rollers for carrying hanks
of thread to be acted on by steam and air, or gas projected thercon from
pipes H.
The pipes H may be arranged horizontally instead of vertically as
before, and have a single row of perforations or nozzles, as in Figure 4,
or a double or triple row, as in Figure 5, to act on one or both sides of
the matters to be treated. The superheated steam escaping from the

page_text: orifices or nozzles in the pipes acts on and carries with it the surrounding
air to a greater or less degree, according to the rate at which the latter
is admitted into the apparatus.
Figures 6 and 7 show the method of regulating the introduction of
air or gases for drying or bleaching. In Figure 6 the air or bleaching
gases are conducted by separato pipes into a chamber m, n, o, p, con-
taining the perforated pipes H, in which chamber the air or bleaching
gases mix with the steam, and are then projected on the matters to be
treated. The air may also be supplied by means of a fan or blower.
In Figure 7 the air or bleaching gases, as the case may be, drawn in at
pipe B by the injector C become mixed with the steam in the pipes H.
For drying purposes I not only utilize the special tendency of super-
heated steam to absorb the water contained in the fabrics or materials
travelling over the jet pipes H, but also introduce it a pressure varying
from 3 to 6 atmospheres, so that it may beat against and more readily
penetrate the materials under treatment, so as to act with greater
effect. The steam, after escaping in the form of jets at the orifices in
pipes H (which are placed very close together and made of a peculiar
conical form), again combines and acts with greater or less intensity,
and in a more or less heated condition, according to the distance of the
jets. This method of drying is consequently applicable to all fluids and
qualitics of fabrics and materials, whether linen, cotton, wool, or silk,
by varying the number of the jets according to the temperature required,
and also the pressure of the steam employed.
•
From the foregoing it will be evident that the arrangement may be
variously modified, as in Figure 8 for instance, which shows a cas-
ing I, J, K, L, divided into a number of compartments i, j, i, j, to
prevent the cooling of the superheated steam, or to increase the action
of the bleaching gases. The space occupied by the steam, whether
mixed or not with air or bleaching gases, should be limited as much as
possible, so that the whole effect of the steam may be utilized, this
object being obtained by filling in the chambers at T, T. The materials
under treatment are carried round sheet-iron cylinders R, which receive
heat from the superheated steam, and impart it to the materials, the
tension of which is regulated by adjustable guides t. The steam or
gases is supplied continuously at pipes H, and the supply of air or gases
is introduced at the openings through which the fabrics enter and leave
the chambers. The steam and gases employed pass off at the chimney

page_text: placed immediately over the casing, and if desired to be again used may
be conducted to a suitable chamber.
Figure 9 shows a modified arrangement of the apparatus designed to
assist the evaporation during the drying operation. In this case the
central pipe H acts as a blower, but it may be replaced by a suitable fan
or blowing engine X.
Figure 10 shows an arrangement adapted for supplying two apparatus
at one time, A being the main supply pipe of the superlicated steam
which passes to the series of branch pipes B, B', a cock being provided
to cut off the supply to one apparatus when the other only is in use.
It will be obvious that the materials to be dried or bleached may.
either travel through the apparatus, as in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
or may turn therein, as in Figure 3, and in a similar manner the
apparatus may be used for drying all kinds of materials, including
paper and yarns, in whatever way the materials may be passed through
the apparatus.
By this Invention an efficient substitute is provided for the slow
method of drying by means of air only, and the apparatus may also
be used with advantage instead of hot-air stoves, drying cylinders,
hot plates, coiled pipes, and other means, all of which are expensivo
to keep in working order, while their large surfaces are a permanent
cause of condensations necessarily conducing to a loss of heat.
When fabrics are treated with superheated steam in the. manner
described, they acquire a softness of touch which is not obtainable
when they are dried in stoves, or by other means.
The superheater may be separated if desired by a wall or partition
from the chamber containing the branch pipes and nozzles.
The drying apparatus occupies but a limited space, for example, the
arrangement shown in Figure 8 is comprised within a space of less than
one square yard; while other apparatus would occupy from 10 to 15
square yards, and upwards. Owing to the small space occupied by the
apparatus the drying operation, more particularly in the case of fabrics,
may be conveniently combined with the preparing, printing, bleaching,
or dyeing processes by simply arranging a series of nozzle pipes at the
points where the fabric is transferred from one apparatus to the other.

page_text: Further, owing to the simplicity of the apparatus it may be constructed
much cheaper than any other.
°
In applying the improved process of this Invention the accessory
arrangements will necessarily vary with each particular caso, and are
dependent on the condition of the materials, for example, in treating
mixed animal and vegetable matters, in which either one or the other
(previously impregnated with some liquid) is to be eliminated or
destroyed by the action of heat, it is simply necessary to place the ma-
terials as near to the jets as possible, or even in contact therewith, so
as to obtain by the force with which the superheated steam is projected,
and the high temperature of the same, the instant destruction and
elimination of the extraneous substances which it is desired to remove.
It should lastly be observed that the more or less considerable amount
of vapor consequent on the injection of superheated steam in the
apparatus is also useful in the treatment of certain fabrics, and especially :
for damping or steaming cloth when drying the same.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as the Inven-
tion to be protected by the herein-before in' part recited Letters
Patent is, mixing superheated steam, either with air or bleaching gases, a
.in
any suitable apparatus, and projecting the same on the matters under
treatment by the means described, whether for the purpose of drying
only, or for bleaching all kinds of animal or vegetable matters whatever
may be the mode of generating the superheated steam, or the pressure
and temperature of the same, and without limiting the number of jet a
tubes, or their forms or dimensions, or to the manner in which the
matters are conveyed through the apparatus, whether in an upward or
downward direction, or whether disposed vertically or horizontally.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-