IMPROVEMENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING WOVEN FABRICS AND YARN CONTINUOUSLY
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Birch, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS
FOR BLEACHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING WOVEN FABRICS AND YARN
CONTINUOUSLY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Birch at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th November 1880.
WILLIAM BIRCH, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING
WOVEN FABRICS AND YARN CONTINUOUSLY."
The kiering of woven fabrics and yarn has hitherto been performed inter-
mittently by placing them into the kier provided with the desired liquor, and then
closing the kier up and turning on the steam, special means being sometimes
adopted for the circulation of the liquor among the goods, and then when the
process has been going on for a period sufficiently long, the kier is opened and the
goods are removed therefrom. The object of my improvements is the construction
of apparatus for the non-intermittent or continuous treatinent, such as bleaching,
dyeing, dunging, soaping, washing, and the like of woven fabrics and yarn under
steam pressure, that is to say, apparatus into which the goods are continuously
being introduced and taken out, and in which the goods are consequently at any
time during the duration of the process in all stages of maturity.
For this purpose I attach to the water-space of the kier or other vessel used an
upright tube of suitable shape and capacity, and of such a length as to balance by
the column of liquor contained therein the pressure of steam employed in the kier.
This tube is filled with liquor through which the goods are drawn into the kier
over rollers, and out again through the same or another tube. The tube or tubes
may be of segmental, circular, or other section, and may be with or without a
midfeather, and the goods treated may be open or in rope form. To regulate the
pressure in the kier or other vessel used, a cistern may be connected to the tube at
or near the top of it, which cistern contains a float working the valve in the

page_text: steampipe; and when an excess of pressure in the kier forces the liquor up the tube
into the cistern, the float rises and shuts off or reduces the supply of steam.
Besides guide rollers, the kier or other vessel may also be fitted with heaters, and
with draw rollers if desired to relieve the strain on the goods. Instead of one
large kier a number of kiers may be connected together, and the goods may pass
from one into the other. Or the goods may successively pass from one kier or
apparatus containing liquor of a certain description into another kier, kiers, or
apparatus containing liquor or liquors of a different nature, according to the
requirements of each particular case.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said William Birch in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st June 1881.
WILLIAM BIRCH, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING
WOVEN FABRICS AND YARN CONTINUOUSLY."
The kiering of woven fabrics and yarn has hitherto been performed inter-
mittently by placing the goods in bulk into the kier provided with the desired
liquor, and then closing the kier up and turning on the steam, special means being
sometimes adopted for the circulation of the liquor among the goods, and then
when the process has been going on for a period sufficiently long, the kier is
opened and the goods are removed therefrom. The object of my improvements is
the construction of apparatus for the nonintermittent or continuous treatment, such
as bleaching, dyeing, dunging, soaping, washing, steaming, and the like of woven
fabrics and yarn under steam pressure, that is to say, apparatus into which the
goods are continuously being introduced and taken out, and in which the goods are
consequently at any time during the working of the apparatus in all stages of
maturity.
For this purpose I attach to the waterspace of the kier or other vessel used an
upright tube of suitable shape and capacity, and of such length as to balance by
the column of liquid contained therein the pressure of the steam employed in the
kier. This tube is filled with liquor through which the goods are drawn into the
kier over guide or friction rollers, and out again through the same or another tube.
The tube or tubes may be of segmental, circular, or other section, and may be with
or without a midfeather, and the goods treated may be open or in rope form;
I prefer treating open, and employ the angular guide and governor described in my
Specifications, Nos. 2610 of 1870, 84 and 4368 of 1877, to keep them open and central.
The pressure in the kier or other vessel used, and also the supply of liquor, may or
may not be regulated automatically by means of floats connected by suitable levers
and connections with the valves regulating the admission. To regulate the
pressure I connect a cistern at or near the top of the tube, which cistern contains a
Hoat suitably connected with the steam valve; and when an excess of pressure in

page_text: Sheet I. shows a bleaching kier in sectional plan, longitudinal and cross section,
and end view in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively; Fig. 5 is a section of the tube or
funnel for the inlet and outlet of the goods. The kier K is a cylindrical vessel with
segmental ends; T, the tube or funnel with midfeather m attached to the top of the
kier; R are friction rollers; D are draw rollers driven by bevil wheels W from a
shaft S running along the kier supported on brackets B, and carrying a cone C by
which the speed may be regulated at will. The centres E of the draw rollers D run
through stuffing boxes or glands X. The friction and draw rollers R and D are
supported on a fraine L, M, N. The partition P separates the waterspace acting
similar to a trap; G are angular guides to keep the fabric open and central on the
rollers, and Y are tension regulators described in my Specifaction No. 161, A.D.
1881, which are applied to prevent excessive slackness or strain of the goods.
The fabric F is drawn over the friction roller R¹ down the tube T, over the series
of friction and draw rollers R and D and the guides G, and through the tube T
again on the other side of the mid-feather over the pair of draw and press
rollers D' and D" to the next machine or apparatus, or elsewhere. The liquor
level in the kier is indicated by the line A, the floats on the levers sinking with
the level and through the rods r, r, on the levers 1, 1, open the valve or cock to
admit a farther supply of liquor. If the pressure in the kier is unduly increased,
the liquor will be forced up the tube T into the box or cistern H, raising the
float, which through the levers and 11, and the rod partly or wholly
closes the steam valve V, thereby reducing the supply of steam which enters the
kier through the pipe p, the nozzle Z, and the perforated pipe p¹ at the bottom of
the kier; Z is a nozzle for a draw off cock, and O is a manhole; S' and S¹¹ are
shafts to give motion to the overhead draw rollers D' by the bevil wheels
W³, WW, W, W, and W. The kier may be furnished in the
ordinary way with pressure gauge, water gauges, and safety valve.

page_text: Fig. 6, Sheet II., shows another mode of attaching the tube T; Fig. 7 represents
the kier placed upright; Fig. 8 is the outline of a vessel prepared to work with a
vacuuin, and Fig. 9 is the outline of a steamer to which my improvements are
applied; Fig. 10 being a similar steamer in which a narrow slit q placed in as low
a position as circumstances will permit takes the place of the discharge tube T¹ in
Fig. 9.
Having now particularly described my Invention and ascertained in what manner
the same may be performed and carried into practice, I declare that I do not limit
myself to the details, proportions, forms, and sizes shown or described for the
purpose of explanation, but claim as my Invention particularly and substantially,
The use of a tube, partly or wholly filled with a liquid, the tube to be either
straight or shaped like a syphon, and such tube attached to a kier or other vessel
in such a manner as to form a hydraulic seal joint or lute, or the tube to be
without any liquid or without forming a lute, but providing an inlet or outlet at a
lower level than the vessel to which it is attached for the purpose of bleaching,
dunging, soaping, washing, dyeing, steaming, and other operations upon woven
fabrics or yarn, substantially as described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Birch, have hereunto set my hand.
and seal, this Fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 1881.
WILLIAM BIRCH. (L.S.).
Witness,
A. HILDEBRANDT.

page_text: I WILLIAM BIRCH of Milton Iron Works Broughton (formerly of Salford) in
the County of Lancaster Engineer seek leave to amend the Specification and
drawings of Letters Patent No 4610 of 1880 as shown in red ink in the printed
copy of the original Specification hereunto annexed by inserting the words " with
liquor" after the word "treatment" in line 22 page 2 of such printed Specifi-
cation and erasing the word "steaming" in line 23 of the same page, and by
substituting the word "liquor" for "liquid" in line 30 on same page.
"
Also by erasing the words "when used for the purpose of steaming, the apparatus
"takes a similar form, having a short syphon or merely a lute" lines 14 and 15
page 3 thereof.
I also crase Figs 9 and 10 from Sheet 2 of the drawings and the description
thereof commencing with the words "and Fig 9." at line 3 page 4 and terminating
with the words "Fig. 9." at line 6 of the same page.
"
I also amend the claim of the said Specification by erasing the word " use from
line 11 of the same page and inserting in place thereof the words "combination
"with a kier or other vessel" and in the same line I also erase the words
"
#
a liquid" and insert instead thereof the words "the liquor contained therein'.
And in line 12 of the same page I erase the indefinate article "a" before the
word "kier" and substitute therefor the words " the said ".
And I erase the words "or the tube to be without any liquid or without forming
a lute, but providing an inlet or outlet at a lower level than the vessel to which
"it is attached" contained in lines 13, 14 and 15 of page 4 and the word
steaming" in line 16 page 4, and in the same line 16 I insert the word "similar.
before the word "operations".
"
My reasons for making this amendment are as follows:-
I have been advised that the Specification and drawings as originally filed,
|describe, claim and illustrate my invention as applicable to “steaming” woven

page_text: fabrics, which was not so described or referred to in my Provisional Specification,
and I wish to limit my said Specification and claims to the treatment of woven
fabrics and yarns with liquor only and to disclaim the apparatus for steaming
purposes.
To the Comptroller-General,
Patent Office, 25, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, London, W.C.
In the matter of an Application by William Birch for leave to amend the Speci-
fication filed in pursuance of a condition in Letters Patent granted to him for
the invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING
AND OTHERWISE TREATING WOVEN FABRICS AND YARN CONTINUOUSLY
dated the 10th day of November 1880 N° 4010.
"
hereby grant leave to the said William Birch to amend the Specification in

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Birch, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Birch at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th November 1880.
WILLIAM BIRCH, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING
WOVEN FABRICS AND YARN CONTINUOUSLY.”
"
The kiering of woven fabrics and yarn has hitherto been performed inter-
mittently by placing them into the kier provided with the desired liquor, and then
closing the kier up and turning on the steam, special means being sometimes
adopted for the circulation of the liquor among the goods, and then when the
process has been going on for a period sufficiently long, the kier is opened and the
goods are removed therefrom. The object of my improvements is the construction
of apparatus for the non-intermittent or continuous treatment, such as bleaching,
dyeing, dunging, soaping, washing, and the like of woven fabrics and yarn under
steam pressure, that is to say, apparatus into which the goods are continuously
being introduced and taken out, and in which the goods are consequently at any
time during the duration of the process in all stages of maturity.
For this purpose
attach to the water-space of the kier or other vessel used an
upright tube of suitable shape and capacity, and of such a length as to balance by
the column of liquor contained therein the pressure of steam employed in the kier.
This tube is filled with liquor through which the goods are drawn into the kier
over rollers, and out again through the same or another tube. The tube or tubes
may be of segmental, circular, or other section, and may be with or without a
midfeather, and the goods treated may be open or in rope form. To regulate the
pressure in the kier or other vessel used, a cistern may be connected to the tube at
or near the top of it, which cistern contains a float working the valve in the
steampipe; and when an excess of pressure in the kier forces the liquor up the tube
into the cistern, the float rises and shuts off or reduces the supply of steam.
Besides guide rollers, the kier or other vessel may also be fitted with beaters, and
with draw rollers if desired to relieve the strain on the goods. Instead of one
large kier a number of kiers may be connected together, and the goods may pass
from one into the other. Or the goods may successively pass from one kier or
apparatus containing liquor of a certain description into another kier, kiers, or
apparatus containing liquor or liquors of a different nature, according to the
requirements of each particular case.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said William Birch in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st June 1881.
"
WILLIAM BIRCH, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machinist. IMPROVE
MENTS IN KIERS OR APPARATUS FOR BLEACHING AND OTHERWISE TREATING
WOVEN FABRICS AND YARN CONTINUOUSLY.”
The kiering of woven fabrics and yarn, has hitherto been performed inter-
mittently by placing the goods in bulk into the kier provided with the desired
liquor, and then closing the kier up and turning on the steam, special means being
sometimes adopted for the circulation of the liquor among the goods, and then
when the process has been going on for a period sufficiently long, the kier is
opened and the goods are removed therefrom. The object of my improvements is
the construction of apparatus for the nonintermittent or continuous treatment, with
liquor such as bleaching, dyeing, dunging, soaping, washing, steaming, and the like
of woven fabrics and yarn under steam pressure, that is to say, apparatus into which
the goods are continuously being introduced and taken out, and in which the goods
are consequently at any time during the working of the apparatus in all stages of
maturity.
For this purpose I attach to the waterspace of the kier or other vessel used an
upright tube of suitable shape and capacity, and of such length as to balance by
the column of liquid liquor contained therein the pressure of the steam employed
in the kier. This tube is filled with liquor through which the goods are drawn into
the kier over guide or friction rollers, and out again through the same or another
tube. The tube or tubes may be of segmental, circular, or other section, and may
be with or without a midfeather, and the goods treated may be open or in rope
form; I prefer treating open, and employ the angular guide and governor described
in my Specifications, Nos. 2610 of 1870, 84 and 4368 of 1877, to keep them open
and central. The pressure in the kier or other vessel used, and also the supply of
liquor, may or may not be regulated automatically by means of floats connected
by suitable levers and connections with the valves regulating the admission. To
regulate the pressure I connect a cistern at or near the top of the tube, which
cistern contains a float suitably connected with the steam valve; and when an
excess of pressure in the kier forces the liquor up the tube and in the cistern, the
float rises and shuts off or reduces the supply of steam. For the regulation of
the level of the liquor I place a float or floats in the kier, which floats are suitably
connected with the liquor pump or valve. Besides friction rollers, the kier or other
vessel may also be fitted with beaters, agitators, and with draw rollers if desired to
relieve the strain on the goods. Instead of one large kier a number of kiers may
be connected together, and the goods may pass from one into the other.
Or the
goods may successively pass from one kier or apparatus containing liquor, or a
medium of a certain description, into another kier, kiers, or apparatus containing
liquor, liquors, or mediums of a different nature, according to the requirements of
each particular case.
The apparatus may also be adapted for working under vacuum instead of
pressure, the inlet and outlet tube or tubes being in this case turned downwards
and up again in the shape of syphons. When used for the purpose of steaming,
the apparatus takes a similar form; having a short syphon or merely a-lute.

page_text: THE DRAWINGS,
Sheet I. shows a bleaching kier in sectional plan, longitudinal and cross section,
and end view in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively; Fig. 5 is a section of the tube or
funnel for the inlet and outlet of the goods. The kier K is a cylindrical vessel with
segmental ends; T, the tube or funnel with midfeather m attached to the top of the
kier; R are friction rollers; D are draw rollers driven by bevil wheels W from a
shaft S running along the kier supported on brackets B, and carrying a cone C by
which the speed may be regulated at will. The centres E of the draw rollers D run
through stuffing boxes or glands X. The friction and draw rollers R and D are
supported on a frame L, M, N. The partition P separates the waterspace acting
similar to a trap; G are angular guides to keep the fabric open and central on the
rollers, and Y are tension regulators described in my Specification No. 161, A.D.
1881, which are applied to prevent excessive slackness or strain of the goods.
The fabric F is drawn over the friction roller R' down the tube T, over tho series
of friction and draw rollers R and D and the guides G, and through the tube T
again on the other side of the mid-feather over the pair of draw and press
rollers D' and Du to the next machine or apparatus, or elsewhere. The liquor
level in the kier is indicated by the line A, the floats f on the levers 7 sinking with
the level and through the rods r, rl, on the levers l',, open the valve or cock r to
admit a farther supply of liquor. If the pressure in the kier is unduly increased,
the liquor will be forced up the tube T into the box or cistern H, raising the
float, which through the lovers and 11, and the rod 7 partly or wholly
closes the steam valve V, thereby reducing the supply of steam which enters the
kier through the pipe p, the nozzle Z, and the perforated pipe p¹ at the bottom of
the kier; Z' is a nozzle for a draw off cock, and O is a manhole; S¹ and S" are
shafts to give motion to the overhead draw rollers D₁ by the bevil wheels
W, WW, W, W, and W. The kier may be furnished in the
ordinary way with pressure gauge, water gauges, and safety valve.
Fig. 6, Sheet II., shows another mode of attaching the tube T; Fig. 7 represents
the kier placed upright; Fig. 8 is the outline of a vessel prepared to work with a
vacuum, and Fig. 9 is the outline of a steamer to which my improvements are
applied; Fig. 10 being a similar steamer-in-which-a-narrow slit-q-placed-in-us-low
a-position as circumstances-will-permit-takes the place of the discharge tube T¹-in
Fig.-9.
Having now particularly described my Invention and ascertained in what manner
the same may be performed and carried into practice, I declare that I do not limit
myself to the details, proportions, forms, and sizes shown or described for the
purpose of explanation, but claim as my Invention particularly and substantially,―
The use combination with a kier or other vessel of a tube, partly or wholly
filled with a liquid, the liquor contained therein, the tube to be either straight or
shaped like a syphon, and such tube attached to a the said kier or other vessel in
such a manner as to form a hydraulic seal joint or lute, or the tube to be without

page_text: any liquid or without forming a lute, but providing an inlet or outlet at a lower
level than the vessel to which it-is-attached for the purpose of bleaching, dunging,
soaping, washing, dyeing, steaming, and other similar operations upon woven
fabrics or yarn, substantially as described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Birch, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 1881.