IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING AND PRINTING CARPETS AND OTHER FABRICS
Year: 1851

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
MELVILLE, of Roebank Works, Lochwinnoch, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain; Calico Printer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of
January, in the fourteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Melville, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said William
Melville, my exors, adñors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Melville, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, within
the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also within all
CERTAIN
Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING AND PRINTING CARPETS AND OTHER FABRICS;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso requiring that I, the said
William Melville, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, shall
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, and shall cause the same to be
enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar

page_text: months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Melville, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by this present instrument in writing, as follows, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto attached, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates:-First, to an improved system or mode of
throwing or actuating the needle or other apparatus of a similar nature used
in weaving carpets and other looped fabrics for raising or forming the loop or
pile.
Second, to a modification of a needle or wire for weaving either single
or double fabrics, which modification I term my contracting needle, the object
of such contrivance being the facilitating the withdrawal of the needle from
the fabric being woven.
Third, to a novel form of double reed, to be worked in connection with two
shuttles, wherein the dents of such reed are notched or formed with a step for
carrying the
upper shuttle, in place of allowing the latter to traverse across the
warp.
Fourth, to a mode of printing yarns or other materials or fabrics by means
of surface rollers or cylinders revolving or dipping into colour troughs.
Fifth, to a novel arrangement or construction of printing rollers or cylinders
to allow of the variation of the pattern or device thereon.
Sixth, to a system or mode of regulating the tension of yarn during printing
by means of a permeable fabric working either in connection with or without
a waterproof fabric or blanket.
Seventh, to a system or mode of printing woven fabrics without the use of
an upper impression roller or surface blanket.
Eighth, to the steaming of printed yarns directly as they pass from the
printing machine.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of my Drawings, is a front elevation of a loon for
weaving together two pieces of carpet or other fabric, to be afterwards
separated, such loom being fitted with or arranged to work according to my
several improvements; Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation of the same;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the needle which I employ for raising the
loop or pile of the fabric with the sliding apparatus attached, and shewing the
needle in its open or expanded state; Figure 4 is a similar view of the needle
alone, as closed or contracted; Figure 5 is a plan of the needle with its guide

page_text: spring attached; Figure 6 is an end view of the needle and spring, with a
transverse section of the slide. In this arrangement the several improvements
aro delineated as adapted to an ordinary hand loom with treadle action, but it
will be obvious to the practical man that the same general contrivances are
equally well adapted to any form of power loom. A, A, is the frame of the
loom, to the top bar of which the lay is suspended at B, having the double
reed C fitted to it, as is ordinarily done with the common reed. The material
for the back of the two pieces being woven is carried on the two roller beams
D, D, at the back of the loom; the yarn for the loops or faces of the fabrics
being on the beam E. In this arrangement six treadles F are employed, the
two central ones being used to work the two sheds for the warps of the backs,
the next pair outside the two central ones actuates the wool for the production
of the loop, whilst the outside treadles work the loop needles. Instead of using
a long series of needles I effect all the necessary actions with only two as at
G, G, in the elevation, Figure 1, where one needle is delineated as passed into
the shed whilst the other is drawn out. The needles are carried or supported
by the double rail or grooved bar H, fixed before the lay and above the web or
fabric being woven. A slide piece I fitted with guide pulleys works freely in
the groove of the rail, and has upon it a projection J, to which the needle G
is attached at K. The two external treadles actuate the needles by means of
the two levers L, L, vibrating on fixed pillars, carried on the floor; the opposite
ends of the levers having cords passing upwards over the fixed pulleys M, M,
and thence to the small pulleys N, N, to the peripheries of which they are
attached. These pulleys N are on the same shaft or in one piece with the
larger pulleys O, O, both being supported by brackets bolted to the outsides of
the loom framing. To the peripheries of the pulleys O are attached cords
passing round guide pulleys P, P, in the ends of the grooved bar H, and
finally attached at Q to the ends of the slides I. In weaving a double
piece by this loom the weaver depresses four of the treadles, as represented
in Figure 1, the sheds being cast or formed as represented in Figure 2,
thus separating the warps forming the backs into two sheds, and raising
the wool or yarn, at the same time withdrawing one of the needles from
between the two pieces in process of formation. When the four treadles
are thus depressed, the weaver releasing the needle treadle allows the weight R
5 to come into action to throw in the needle on the opposite side, the weight
being hung to the slide piece of the needle by a cord passing over a pulley on
the bar H; a similar depression of four treadles, counting from the other side,
produces a similar shed in the warps for the backs, and draws down the yarn
or wool, crossing the yarn over the needle last entered and forming the pile for

page_text: the two pieces. The opposite needle is actuated in a precisely similar manner;
and the process being continued, the yarn is crossed up and down over the
wires or needles, as they are necessarily entered for the purpose, The enlarged
view, Figure 5, is a plan of one of the needles, with its slide I and guide
spring S; this spring is attached to the framing A, its loose elastic end being
bent to an angle and pierced to admit the, needle to pass through it. In this
Figure the needle is supposed to be withdrawn from the web, shewing the
effect of the spring in guiding the needle, so that it may enter the shed without
vibration. The peculiar formation of my contracting needle is clearly repre-
sented in Figures 3 and 4. Each needle is formed of two parallel pieces,
jointed or hinged together by transverse links like a parallel ruler.
In
Figure 3, the needle is delineated as expanded or open to its full extent, to
produce the full depth of pile or loop; and in Figure 4 it is shewn as closed or
contractel, to allow of its casy withdrawal from the web. Each time that the
needle is entered to form the loop a catch or stop on the upper bar of the
needle comes in contact with the angular end of the spring S, thus expanding
the needle to its utmost extent. When again withdrawn from the pile the
frictional action of the latter tends to hold back the moveable bar and thus
contract the needle's width, enabling it to pass freely from the web. Instead
of linking the two portions of the needle together in this way, it is obvious that
the same effect may be produced by wedge surfaces, or various other modifica-
cations. Figure 7 is a front elevation of the double reed and shuttle race for
each of the two shuttles, and Figure 8 is a transverse section of the same
corresponding. In this reed the dents are made very broad, each having a pro-
jecting ledge as at A, so that the whole range shall form a race for the upper
shuttle, the lower shuttle being traversed along the ordinary race B, as
represented at T in Figure 1. The fabric which this loom is arranged to weave
is woven double, the separation into two pieces being afterwards affected by
cutting through the pile which joins them. But it will be obvious to practical
men that the same general arrangement of throwing the needle may be adopted
for weaving single.pile fabrics.
Figure 1, on Sheet 2 of my Drawings, represents a vertical longitudinal
section of my printing machine, as arranged for printing yarns for carpets and
other fabrics; Figure 2 is a plan of the machine corresponding; Figure 3 is
a side elevation of the machine, shewing the details of the gearing and con-
nections of the various movements; Figure 4 is an end elevation of one of the
printing cylinders on a larger scale; and Figure 5 is a corresponding plan of
the cylinder.
..
"The view, Figure 1, represents the machine as built on an upper floor A, A,

page_text: of a factory, the line B, B, being the ground floor beneath, upon which are
placed the two troughs or shallow cisterns C, D, for washing and cleansing the
wire cloth and waterproof material employed in the printing process. E, E,
is one of the main longitudinal frames of the machine, carrying the bearings of
the three printing cylinders F, F, F. In this arrangement motion is com
municated to the printing cylinders by the first driving pulley G, on a horizontal
shaft, carrying a toothed pinion H in gear with the spur wheel I. This latter
wheel drives the cylinders F all in the same direction, as indicated by the
arrows, the connection being preserved throughout the series by the inter-
mediate wheels J gearing with the wheels K on the cylinder shafts. The
wheel I also drives the stud pinion L, in gear with a pinion on the end of the
shaft of the guide roller M, giving motion to the latter as indicated by the
arrow. The yarn or material to be printed is carried on the beam N, whence
it passes in the direction of the arrow between the two rollers O, P, one above
and one below the yarn. The lower roller P is driven from the nearest cylinder
shaft by the intermediate wheel Q, gearing with a pinion on the roller shaft, its
rate being such as to carry forward the yarn at the same speed as the periphery
of the printing cylinders, in order to preserve a regular tension upon the yarn.
After leaving the rollers O, P, the yarn R passes through a fixed reed S, the
action of which retains each thread in its proper position, in reference to the
surface printing rollers which it is now approaching. The printing cylinders F,
the peculiar construction of which I shall hereafter describe, are of the surface
printing kind, the devices thereon being produced by any of the ordinary modes
now in use. Each cylinder dips or is partly immersed in a colour trough T,
from which it takes its supply for impression upon the yarn, as the latter passes
over the cylinders and beneath the impression rollers U. To carry forward the
yarn and preserve it from disarrangement during the printing action, as well as
from falling down upon the unfigured or dirty portion of the printing cylinders,
I employ an endless web of wire cloth or other suitable permeable material V.
This wire, cloth is passed over the printing cylinders with the yarn to be
printed on its upper surface, so that the cylinders instead of impressing colour
directly on the yarn itself deliver it against the lower surface of the permeable
fabric, through which it passes to the yarn. Above the yarn again an endless
web W, of waterproof material or "blanket," is passed along with the wire
cloth and yarn to act in connection with the wire cloth for the purpose of
maintaining the regular tension of the yarn. There are thus three layers
of material passed simultaneously through or over the printing cylinders, the
wire cloth below, then the yarn, and finally the "blanket." In the machine
which I have here delineated I have supposed it to be printing three separate

page_text: colours on the three cylinders F, the system, as is obvious, being capable of.
extension to print any number of colours by increasing the number of cylinders,
or employing colour troughs with divisions, the cylinders being divided
transversely to correspond to such divisions of the troughs where the number
of colours is very great. After passing the last cylinder the printed yarn is
separated from the wire cloth, being passed upwards and round the guide
roller. M. along with the blanket, and over the roller X, when the 'yarn is
finally received by the box or case Y, whilst the blanket passes.downwards to
be cleansed in readiness for its succeeding passage through the machine:
This cleansing process is effected by passing it against a doctor or scraper
and beneath the fixed roller Z, Z, in the water trough D on the floor
beneath, the fixed brush a being used to loosen or clear off the adhering
colour with the assistance of the water in the trough, when it is finally
washed by the jet pipe a¹. It is afterwards passed in contact with a scraper
b; and is finally cleaned by passing between the two rollers c, c. It then
passes over the guide roller d preparatory to re-entering upon the printing.
cylinders. Similarly the wire cloth V passes away alone over the roller e,
driven from the wheel I, and descends beneath the rollers f, f, in the water.
trough C, passing in its route between the two brushes g; after which it is
washed by entering between the two jet pipes h, h. It is then repassed
upwards, and in contact with the revolving brushes i, i, and finally over the
steam-heated drum ; by which it is dried in readiness for the succeeding print-
ing action. By another modification, the surface-blanket may be dispensed
with, the upper or counter pressure roller being formed with a pattern or
device upon it, to correspond to the printing roller. The system which-I adopt
in-the construction of the printing rollers for the alteration or variation of the
device thereon is clearly delineated in Figures 4 and 5. The ends A, A, are
cast or formed with regular grooved or recessed divisions on their peripheries.
so that the segments B, B, on which the device is formed, may be removed or
replaced at pleasure by sliding them in their recesses. In producing the
printing surface a plain roller of the exact diameter required for the extent of
the pattern is covered with a layer of gutta percha or other suitable.substance
to the thickness of the required relief. Over this layer is placed a layer of flannel,
and the whole of the pattern, including all the colours, is then traced or laid down
upon this surface. Each of the portions for the distinct colours is then cut out and
detached from the roller and attached in its proper position upon the sections
or divisions of the printing roller, which are checked or lined out on their surface
to correspond with the pattern, and admit of easy adjustment of the several
portions in their proper places. By this system great accuracy is ensured, whilst

page_text: the printing surface is cut out and formed with facility and economy. In my
Drawings I have represented the printed yarn as being delivered from the
printing machine into a chest or case; but I also propose to subject it to the
steaming process as it comes direct from the machine. According to such
arrangement, I cause the printed yarn to pass at once from the machine over
a steam jet or perforated pipe, after which, it may be finished in the ordinary
way. Instead of the printing roller being made to dip directly into the colour
troughs, it may be supplied with colour by a feed roller revolving in the trough.
Figure 1, on Sheet 3 of my Drawings, represents a transverse sectional elevation
of the machine which I employ for printing piece goods by surface rollers by
the resist process. Figure 2 is a plan of the same, corresponding; and
Figure 3 is a front elevation. The printing machine stands on the upper
floor A of the building, the cooling apparatus being on the floor B below; C is
the printing roller or cylinder, having projecting surfaces on its circumference,
such projections being caused to revolve or dip into the melted wax contained
in the trough D, which is heated by a double steam case. The fabric to be
printed is placed on the beam E, and passes downwards in the direction of the
arrows over the guide pulley F, and thence beneath the fixed bar G. From
this point it passes over the printing roller C, which it causes to revolve in
passing by the tensional pressure arising from the stretch of the fabric between
the bar G and the cylinder H. In this way the fabric itself drives its printing
roller, the projecting surfaces in which imprint devices in wax upon the under
side of the fabric. After being thus printed in wax, the fabric I passes down-
wards to the cooling cistern J, where the wax is hardened on the fabric during
the passage of the latter through the water over the several guide rollers in
the cistern; the driving action being communicated by the roller K. After
being thus passed through the water the fabric is finally delivered at L. To
protect the wax pattern during its passage over the roller H, an endless wet
sheet is passed along with the fabric, and beneath. it as at M, the sheet being
kept constantly wet by being passed through the cooling cistern with the fabric.
Although I have described this process of printing as adapted for the resist
process, it is obvious that the same general arrangement may be adopted for
printing colours direct upon the fabric; the fabric so printed in colour by the
roller C, being passed to the drying chamber in the usual way.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my Inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect;
I
may observe in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself to the
precise details which I have had occasion to describe or refer to; as many
variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or

page_text: main features of my Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the system or mode of throwing or actuating the needles used for
raising the pile in weaving various fabrics, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of raising or forming the pile by actuating or
throwing a needle from each side of the fabric.
Third, the system or mode of guiding the needles by an elastic guide
or spring, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of working the needle action by treadles or
other actuating apparatus working in connection or in concert with the actuat-
ing apparatus of the shed or sheds of the fabric wherein one needle is inserted,
whilst the wool or yarn of the fabric is brought under or over the other.
Fifth, the use or employment of expanding or contracting needles for the
purpose herein-before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of facilitating the withdrawal of the needle from
the pile, as herein-before described.
Seventh, the application and use of a double reed for working in connection
with two shuttles, as herein-before described.
Eighth, the employment and use of a reed formed with a ledge or race on
the dents or slips thereof for carrying a shuttle.
Ninth, the system or mode of printing devices or patterns on yarn or woven
fabrics, by means of surface rollers revolving or dipping into colour troughs,
or supplied by a feed roller revolving in such colour troughs.
Tenth, the system or mode of constructing printing rollers, with the
periphery formed and adjusted in sections, for the purpose herein-before
described..
Eleventh, the application and use of wire cloth or other permeable fabric
in printing yarns, as herein-before described.
Twelfth, the system or mode of holding up the yarn, and preserving a
uniform tension upon it by the application of a separate fabric on one or both
sides, as herein-before described.
Thirteenth, the system or mode of printing yarns by applying the colour
through a permeable material, as herein-before described.
Fourteenth, the system or mode of steaming yarn or piece goods directly, as
delivered from the printing machine, by passing the yarn in contact with a
steaming apparatus, as herein-before described.
Fifteenth, the system or mode of printing woven fabrics without the use of
an upper impressing roller, as hercin-before described. ..

page_text: Sixteenth, the system or mode of printing textile materials or fabrics without
a surface blanket, by the use of an upper or counter-pressure pattern roller, as
herein-before described.
Seventeenth, the system or mode of producing or forming the pattern
printing surface of the rollers, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Melville, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Eleventh day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.