Improved Means of and Apparatus for Humidifying Fibrous Substances.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of and Apparatus for Humidifying Fibrous
Substances.
I, JAMES TOWNSLEY PEARSON of 4, Calder Vale Road, Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, 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 :-
This invention is designed for the humidification of various substances requiring
moisture, but more particularly yarn in cop form.
It is a fact well understood, that weft hot from the spindle is not in a fit state to be
woven into cloth, for if so used, the cloth would have a much more inferior appear-
ance, and the weft would have a greater tendency to break, than if the weft was first
submitted before using, to a process of humidification.
The usual practice has been to place the yarn in a room or cellar, having a specially
constructed Hoor containing water for humidifying purposes. The effect of humidity
being more or less in accordance with the length of time, the yarn is allowed to
remain in the cellar, which is usually about 10 days. Therefore a stock of yarn equal
to 10 days production, is constantly under humidification at one time.
To expedite more effectually the process of humidification is the object of the
present invention. I arrange the cop of yarn in layers, one above another, with a
wet or damp sheet between each layer, so that each layer of cops may be in actual
contact with the damp surfaces of the sheets, and absorb therefrom moisture, which is
conveyed to the centre or core of the cop by capillary attraction; 24 hours being
quite sufficient to effect the required degree of humidification.
Each layer of cops is then transferred from the sheets into suitable cans or skips,
into which they are packed ready for use. It will therefore be obvious, that by my
improved process of humidifying or conditioning yarn, only one days instead of ten
days stock, is under humidification at one time, and consequently fewer cans or skips
are required for packing purposes.
And in order that my invention may be properly understood, and readily carried
into practical effect, I have hereunto attached the accompanying two sheets of draw-
ings, marked with figures and letters of reference, representing arrangements of
mechanism, by which the process of humidification may be expeditiously performed.

page_text: "
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Fig. 1 is a plan and Fig. 2 an elevation, representing an arrangement of machinery,
by which the process of humidification may be efficiently and expeditiously effected.
Fig. 3 is a plan, & Fig. 4 an elevation, representing another arrangement, for
the same purpose.
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 1 and 2, sheet 1, A and B are two wooden
rollers, supported in bearings A and B on the framing C, and are situated one on
each side of the cistern or water-tank D. These rollers receive in a roll alternately,
the bulk of canvas or cloth E, in a wet or moist state. In its passage from roller to
roller, the said canvas or cloth is drawn through the cistern or water tank D, being
conveyed downwards, under the conducting roller D¹, in the manner seen in dotted
lines in Fig. 1, and then upwards between a pair of squeezing rollers D³ and D³, by
which the amount of moisture contained in the canvas or cloth is regulated, by thumb
screw D*, before being wound in a bulk, as represented on the roller B. The annular
space between each lap or fold of the canvas or cloth, wound or wrapped upon the
roller B, is an enclosure, or layer of weft or yarn, one layer outside another in the
manner shewn in plan view Fig 1, in which view the bulk or roll of canvas or cloth
is shewn in section, taken through the lines 1, 2 and 3, 4 in Fig. 2. The yarn so
enclosed within the walls of the cloth or canvas, is allowed to remain for 24 hours or
thereabouts, during which time, the weft or yarn so enclosed will have absorbed, by
capillary attraction, the moisture from the walls of canvas or cloth, surrounding the
annular or spiral spaces V.
To prevent the walls of canvas from pressing unduly upon
the yarn, suitable ropes
or flexible ribs El are attached to the surface of the canvas or cloth; the thickness
of the ribs is preferably that of the diameter of the cops of yarn. The yarn having
remained within the canvas during the 24 hours, as above stated, may now be con-
sidered as being properly humidified, or in proper condition to be removed or packed
in skips or cans for delivery.
1
The machine may now be set in motion to unwind the roll of canvas from roller B,
and transfer it to roller A. This is effected by shifting the driving straps F and G,
so as to bring the open strap F from the loose pulley H, to the fast pulley H', seen on
Fig. 1 whereupon a slow revolving movement is imparted to rollers A and B, through
the medium of worm J, and worm wheel J. The two rollers A and B are connected
together by endless rope M, which is elevated over a pair of guide pulleys M¹, so as
not to obstruct the persons employed in removing the humidified yarn from the
canvas, and supplying or feeding the same with yarn for humidification; both
operations being effected during the traverse of the canvas from one roller to the
other.
Assuming the roller A to be now full of canvas with the yarn to be humidified
enclosed between the damp walls of the canvas, in a similar manner as described in
relation to roller B. The machine is now stopped by shifting strap F from the fast
pulloy H¹, to loose pulley H, in which position it now remains the allotted time, to
allow the yarn to absorb the required amount of moisture, from the damp surfaces of
the walls of canvas. The humidification of the yarn being now complete, the machine
is again set in motion in a reverse direction, by shifting the cross strap G from the
loose pulley to fast pulley 1'; the removal and feeding of the yarn being the same
as that previously described.
The cistern or tank D is supplied with water from the tap K, any excess being
carried away by overflow pipe K; and for the purpose of emptying the said tank, the
.discharge tap K³ is provided.
The
In the arrangement represented in Figs. 3 and 4, sheet 2, C is the framework support-
ing table L.
At each end of the table are fixed the uprights L' and 12.
uprights L' are connected by cross bar N¹, to add stiffness to the uprights.
The canvas or cloth E is wound in a roll situated in the water tank or cistern D,
from which one end of the said canvas is conveyed between the squeezing rollers D
and D³ and over guide roller D', and from thence through the slit of the shuttle or
carrier N, when it is then secured to table L.
In commencing to lay the canvas or cloth in readiness for the yarn, the shuttle N

page_text: is held by a person at each side of the machine, and is carried to the opposite end of
the table, when a fold or double of the canvas is tucked in by the shuttle between the
weighted bar and the horizontal stretcher P. This stretcher also connects the two
opposite side blocks P' and P, which are capable of adjustment upon the uprights,
through the medium of the holes in the uprights, and pins attached to chains P*, to
bring the weighted bar and stretcher on a level with the fold of canvas last laid.
The fold or double of the canvas being now held between the nip of the weighted
bar O and the stretcher P, the shuttle or carrier is then carried backwards, tucking
another fold or double of canvass between the weighted bar and stretcher at the
opposite end of the machine.
The upper surface of the canvas or cloth in its wet or damp condition is now
covered with yarn, after which the shuttle N is again carried to and fro, tucking a fold
or double of canvas between the weighted bars O, and stretchers P, at each end of
the machine, when the wet or damp surface of the canvas or cloth is again covered
with yarn.
This operation is repeated until the machine is full of yarn, when it is allowed to
remain between the wet or damp surfaces of the canvas or cloth the length of
time above specified.
After the yarn has undergone the process of humidification, the canvass is rewound
in a roll in the cistern D, by handle S, through the medium of the wheels S¹ and S,
and the yarn transferred from the canvas into skips or cans ready for use.
To maintain an uniform level and depth of water in the cistern S the ball cock S*
is provided.
I would observe in conclusion, that although I have described my invention as
being particularly applicable for humidifying yarns, I do not confine myself to such par-
ticular purpose, as my invention is also applicable for the purpose of humidifying
tobacco, and a variety of other substances, which require to undergo the process of
humidification.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The humidification of yarn, and other substances, between damp surfaces or
sheets, substantially as described and illustrated.
2. The machinery represented in Figs. 1 and 2, and 3 and 4, substantially as
described, for the purpose specified.
1000
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent for the Applicant.