Improvements in Machinery for Dressing or Finishing Fabrics.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 19th Mar, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Machinery for Dressing or Finishing Fabrics.
A communication from abroad by the firm of HANNART FRÈRES, of Roubaix,
France, Manufacturers.
JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Chartered Patent Agent, 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:-
According to the method hitherto generally followed for dressing or finishing
fabrics the fabrics to be dressed or finished are wound together with cotton cloth
round hollow perforated cylinders placed over a steam pipe and steam is then
made to pass through the fabrics.
This method has numerous drawbacks: the winding of the fabrics upon the
perforated cylinders and the unwinding therefrom are very tedious; the cylinders
soon become damaged, the hand labor is expensive and the work irregular.
Now according to the present invention the fabric to be dressed or finished is
earried between two endless webs or cloths over a perforated steam drum or box
with the result that the dressing or finishing is effected in a more satisfactory
manner.
The improved machinery comprises a fixed or rotary metal drum or box pierced
with holes and into which steam is admitted. Over the perforated part of the drum
or box two superposed endless travelling webs or cloths are carried and between these
is placed the fabric to be dressed. The steam issuing by the holes in the drum
passes through the first or inner web, then through the fabric to be dressed and
finally is stopped by the second or outer web; a continued vaporization of the
fabric is thus produced, and this is a characteristic feature of the invention.
The accompanying drawing represents by way of example a machine adapted
for carrying out the invention.
Upon a framing A of ordinary construction are mounted the usual tension
bars B B' over and under which the fabric C to be dressed travels. If required a
vaporizing box D or a humidifying apparatus is placed at the front of the machine
to give a preliminary treatment to the fabric, after which it passes under a roller E
and over a tension or stretching bar F and roller L' which immediately precede
the steam drum G. Over this drum G are carried the two endless webs or
cloths H and K which are placed one above the other and nearly surround the
upper half of the drum. These webs are kept stretched by the tightening
rollers L L L L L L® L' L8. At M is a steam drying cylinder which can at
will be put into action or not. In the case of its not being worked the ordinary
roller L³ replaces it so as to prevent contact of the web K with the cylinder M.
The fabric C to be treated on leaving the roller L engages immediately between
the two endless webs or cloths at the point N where they come in contact with.
the drum. The three fabrics travel simultaneously round the drum as far as the
point N¹ where they leave it to pass under the conducting roller L and between
the cylinders O and P; here the dressed and finished fabric leaves the two webs
which then separate and it passes under the roller Q to the usual mechanical
folding apparatus shown at S which deposits the folded fabric upon the table_R.
The machine is driven by a belt passing round the fast and loose pulleys T and
transmits motion by the toothed gearing U and U' to the cylinder O, which with
the cylinder P imparts the travelling motion to the webs or cloths H and K.
The folding apparatus S is worked by the belt V from the other side of the
machine. Steam is admitted into the drum in the usual manner by a stuffing box
t X or by any other suitable means.

page_text: The drum G can if required receive a rotary movement imparted for example by
the toothed wheel U' keyed upon the cylinder O. Instead of the drum there may
be a steam box the shape of which may be that of a sector or a segment of a
circle; or it may be of ellipsoidal or other form having the upper part perforated.
Or the fabric may be made to pass along a flat or arched perforated table supplied
with steam.
One or more vaporizing apparatus may be arranged in succession and the fabric
may as desired be acted on by the steam on one side only or on the two sides
successively.
Humidifying or other devices of the usual kinds may be placed in front of the
machine and drying apparatus at its end.
Pressing rollers or plates can also be employed to give more or less pressure to
the three cloths and prevent the steam filtering through the outer endless cloth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me and in what manner the same is to be performed
I declare that what I claim is
1. In machinery for dressing or finishing fabrics, two endless travelling webs or
cloths between which the fabric to be dressed becomes engaged and by which
it is carried over a perforated steam drum or box substantially as hereinbefore
l'escribed.
2. The improved machine for dressing or finishing fabrics constructed sub-
stantially as shown in the accompanying drawing and hereinbefore described.
3. Constructing machinery for dressing or finishing fabrics substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated this 18th day of February 1892.
J. C. MEWBURN.