CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING, DRYING, AND FINISHING WOVEN FABRICS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
THEODORE PHILIPPI, of Bellfield Hall, in the County of Lancaster, Calico
Printer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Fifteenth day of June, in the tenth year of Her reign, and in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, did, for
Herself, her Heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Frederick
Theodore Philippi, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Frederick Theodore Philippi, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Frederick Theodore
Philippi, my executors, administrators, 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 and Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and
in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of
Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, my Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING, DRYING, AND
FINISHING WOVEN FABRICS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso, that I, the said Frederick Theodore Philippi, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said

page_text: in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large äppear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Frederick Theodore Philippi, do hereby declare the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, and the Drawings
hereto annexed (that is to say):-
My improvements in machinery or apparatus for stretching, drying, and
finishing woven fabrics consist in a novel arrangement or construction of
mechanism designed for the purpose of effecting such operations in a much
more expeditious and economical manner than has hitherto been accomplished,
and also causing such operations to be performed with uninterrupted continuity
throughout the entire length of the piece of goods, or of a number of pieces of
goods or of a number of pieces of goods connected together endwise, and
submitted to the said operations.
The operations of stretching, drying, and finishing woven fabrics as usually
practised are directed principally to two objects; the one the drying the fabrics
with a particular finish, the other the drying the fabrics at or in a suitable
state of distention. My Invention has reference to both these objects. The
particular finish to be obtained by my improved machinery or apparatus is the
well-known "elastic finish," mostly applicable to muslins, lenoes, and other
like fabrics. This elastic finish is attained by taking out or preventing the
rigid stiffness of the piece whilst being dried, by causing the threads of the
fabric to be brought or strained into diagonal positions, so as to distort or put
out of shape the figures or forms of the meshes or interstices; thus, by shifting
the directions or positions of the threads, the starch or other stiffening matter,
which would otherwise fill up the interstices, becomes broken between the
meshes of the fabric, and the desired "finish," which improves or brightens
the appearance, and adds elasticity and softness to the touch, is imparted to the
cloth.
"
The above-described particular object or "elastic finish was formerly
partially and imperfectly accomplished by the hands of workmen moving
one side or selvage of the cloth, also by pulling, or, as it was called, "thumbing"
each selvage of the cloth alternately, the piece being in some cases distended
on an ordinary stenter rail, and has lately been more successfully accomplished
by certain apparatus constructed and arranged according to the Specification
of Letters Patent, granted by Her present Majesty to Thomas Ridgway
Bridson and William Latham, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-sixth
day of May, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, and which Speci-

page_text: fication is inrolled in the office of the Rolls Chapel. The finishing of the goods
by the apparatus.described in that Specification is accomplished by placing a
single piece on the stenter rails of a stretching frame, then distending the piece.
breadthways, and lastly, causing such rails with the piece so stretched upon them
to vibrate, by bringing into operation a vibratory apparatus, thereby causing the
piece to be strained diagonally by the repeated vibrations or reciprocating
motion of the side rails of such apparatus during the process of drying. The
operation of finishing the goods by the apparatus and arrangement just
referred to occupies a considerable time, that is to say, each separate piece or
length of cloth takes about fifteen minutes for the "finishing" in the manner
and according to the Invention above mentioned. Now, I have discovered a
new method of attaining the said elastic finish, by means of certain arrange-
ments, whereby the cloth may be finished by one continuous and uninterrupted'
operation. My improved machinery and apparatus for this purpose is designed
and arranged to produce a progressive motion of first one selvage of the
cloth and then the other, and I am enabled by such progressive motion to
operate upon a piece or any convenient number of pieces with uninterrupted
continuity.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention, I will proceed to
describe the manner in which the same is to be performed or carried into
practical operation. And in order that my Invention may be clearly understood;
I have attached to these Presents two Sheets of' Drawings illustrative of my
improved machinery and arrangements, having represented the same upon a
scale of one and a half inches to the foot, and marked the various Figures with
letters of reference, corresponding with the following explanation thereof,.
similar letters being placed upon corresponding parts of the mechanism in all
the Figures.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 represents a plan or horizontal view of my improved.
apparatus for stretching, drying, and finishing woven fabrics; and Figure 2 is.
a side elevation of the same. In Sheet 2, Figure 1 is a front view of the right
hand or driving end of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of
the same; and Figure 3 is a transverse section, taken through about the middle.
of the same, at the left-hand or feeding end of the apparatus. a is the main:
framing, to which are bolted two slide bars b, b, which are capable of adjust-
ment (when required) by means of slots. These two bars b, b, support on
suitable brackets the tension rail c, c, which is formed slightly hollow or concave
at the middle, for the purpose of allowing the piece to swag or hang loosely
whilst being introduced into the machine. The bars b, b, also support two
cross shafts, upon each of which, are placed loosely about six bobbins or

page_text: cylinders (more or less) d, d, d, e, e, e, formed of wood or other suitable
material, and revolving freely and independently of each other upon the said
.shafts. The bobbins d, d, d, upon the upper shaft are covered with flannel, felt,
or any other suitable material, and the two outside cylinders e, e, e, on the
lower shaft are bushed and covered with metal, so as to form pulleys, over or
around which the two endless straps or bands f,f, of leather or other suitable
material pass; these bands or straps f, f, are furnished with pins or points,
fixed near to the inner edges of the same, so as to take hold of the selvage of
the muslin or other fabric under. operation. It will be seen that the brackets
which carry
the upper shaft. are capable of being slidden upon the cross
rail g, g, by turning the screw h by hand, as the felt becomes worn by the
action of the pins with which the endless straps or belts f. f, are furnished.
To the cross rail g is also attached a short piece of chain or flexible weight i,
well covered with felt or flannel, which bears upon the picce of muslin or other
fabric, as hereafter described. The endless bands or straps f,f", travel or pass
through two rails k, k, made of wood or other suitable material, the ends of
,which are supported and swivel upon pivots. These rails, which I prefer to be
made in lengths of eight fect six inches or thereabouts, are connected together
by joints, and at each joint rest upon supporters b, b, upon which they are
.capable of sliding laterally, but are held stationery as regards their longitudinal
direction; they are kept distended or apart by cords m, m,-fastened to them,
passing over pulleys, and weighted according to the strength of the fabric under
operation. Of course it will be evident that elastic bands or springs might
be employed for the same purpose, but I consider the weights preferable. At
.the delivering or driving end of the machine the main framing a, a, carries a
.cross rail n, furnished with a pivot, upon which the frame which carries the
taking-off roller o, o, swivels, as herein-after described, being prevented from
.swelling too far by the clastic band o". The said frame also supports in
suitable bearings. the transverse shaft p, p, upon which the flanged pullies q, q,
(over or around which the bands or straps f. f', pass) are placed loosely, being
capable of turning freely and independently of the said shaft and of each other.
Upon the boss of each of these pullies q, q, is keyed a spur wheel r,,. into
which the catches 8, s, take, being kept always in contact with the said wheels
by means of elastic bands or springs. The frame a also carries another
transverse shaft t, upon which two semicircular or half pulleys u, u', are
keyed in opposite directions to each other, and also to corresponding half
Around the
or Dspur wheels v, v, gearing with the spur wheels r, r.
half pulleys u, u³, extends a flange, forming a complete circle, so as to
guide the strap to the upper pulley; they are covered with strong leather

page_text: or other suitable material, and made to act as friction. pulleys to draw
the endless straps f, f. Upon one end of the shaft t is keyed a spur wheel w,
by means of which the apparatus is connected to any suitable moving power.
There is a spur wheel a keyed upon the shaft p, p, and gearing with the
wheel to, which is for the purpose of turning the apparatus by hand, when
required, by means of a winch handle placed upon the squared end of the said
shaft p. Upon the other end of the shaft t are two pullies y, y, for driving
the winding-on roller z, by means of the strap or belt 1. The straps f, f¹, in
returning pass over flanged pullies 2; 2, at each bearing of the rails k, k, 'and
under counter pullies (not seen in the Drawing) placed midway between the
said pullies, so as to prevent the strap from vibrating or "swagging" and
tearing the pins out. The distance between the two ends of the machine may
be of any convenient length, but I should recommend it to be about the length
of a piece of muslin, say, thirty yards, and enclosed by walls or otherwise, and
heated in any convenient manner to a sufficient degree so as to dry the piece
of muslin or other fabric whilst it is passing from the feeding to the delivering
end of the apparatus. In the Drawing it is represented as heated by means
of flues 8, 8, placed in the centre below the rails k, k, the rails, and straps
being protected from the direct action of the heat by the iron sheathing 4, 4,
which also forces the heat generated to pass up through the fabric under
operation, and it will be obvious that heat may be supplied from pipes or
surfaces filled with hot water or steam, as is well understood.. The rails k, k,
are gradually contracted in width for about seventeen feet at each end to
about eight inches narrower than the intended finished width of the fabric, so
as to allow the fabric to be hooked on and taken off without injury to the
selvages, the remaining part being set to the full or natural width of the cloth,
and kept distended by the weighted cords m, m. The operation of the
machine is as follows:-
The apparatus is first turned by hand until one of the D wheels (say v¹) is
brought with its centre about opposite to the centre of its corresponding spur
wheel, the other D wheel v being below the centre and out of gear entirely;
one selvage of the muslin or other fabric is then held by the attendant to the
pins upon the strap f' at the feeding end of the apparatus and the machine
is set in motion, when the strap which is in motion passing between the upper
and lower cylinders d and e, has the selvage of the wet and stiffened fabric
firmly pressed or hooked upon the pins. The diameter of the D wheels and
pullies being about eighteen inches, then a quarter of a revolution of the shaft
will cause the left pulley u" to draw the strap f¹ about fourteen inches,
throwing the D wheel v¹ out of gear and the wheel into gear; the other

page_text: selvage of the fabric is then hooked on to the pins of the strap f, and is drawn
forward by a half revolution of the pullies about two feet four inches; and in
order to give the pins a still firmer hold, the flexible weight i is then hooked
upon the cross rail g, and laid or allowed to fall upon the middle of the fabric,
and thus hold down the cloth tightly upon the pins.
Thus it will be seen that at the first and every subsequent half revolution of
the driving shaft each selvage of the fabric will be alternately drawn forward
about two feet four inches whilst the other side is stationary, and this process
is going. on continuously until the whole piece or the required number of
pieces are finished. By this alternate progressive or forward motion, of first one
selvage of the fabric and then the other whilst drying, I obtain the elastic
finish required. As soon as the tension on one side is over the weighted
cords m, bring the rails k, k, back to their original position, or to any width
that the nature of the fabric under operation will allow; and as the movement
of the selvage is alternately advancing, it will be seen that the taking up and
delivering part of the rails and strap must be narrower, as before stated. At
the delivering end of the machine, the fabric upon leaving the pins, passes
under the "taking-off" roller o, o, which swivels upon its pivot, so as to accom-
modate itself to the motion of the fabric under operation. The cloth then
passes over guide rollers for about twenty feet back into the heated chamber
again to have the selvages thoroughly dried, and returning over the roller 5, is
finally wound on to the roller z. It will be evident that the lateral or yielding
motion of the rails k, k, in connection with the joints aforesaid, will allow the
rails to adjust themselves to any variety in the widths of successive pieces going
over them, should their width differ not more than from four to six inches.
This continuous alternate progressive motion may be obtained in many ways,
such as by a rack and eccentric, or crank, &c., or by other mechanical means;
instead of by the half or D wheels, above described. It will also be obvious,
that instead of this alternative uniform progressive motion, an unequal progres-
sive motion would effect the same object; that is, supposing one selvage of the
cloth to be caused to move quickly, while the other travels slowly, and vice
versâ, such unequal progressive motion of the selvages may be obtained by
means of four elliptical wheels placed respectively out of their centres upon the
two shafts at the driving end of the apparatus in connection with the strap
pullies, already described. The drying fabrics at or in a suitable state of dis-
. tension by means of my Invention is as follows:-Instead of the selvages being
advanced alternately for the purpose of giving the elastic finish, as above
described, by means of the half or D wheels, I cause the two selvages to be
advanced simultaneously, by substituting entire spur wheels or other suitable

page_text: apparatus for the half or D wheels. The side or stenter rails of the machine
at the delivering end must be kept parallel at the required width.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim as
the Invention, whereof the exclusive use is intended to be secured by the said
Letters Patent, the several parts of the machinery and apparatus herein-before
described or referred to when taken separately, or otherwise employed and
adapted than as above mentioned; but what I do claim is,-
Firstly, the construction and arrangement of apparatus for giving the elastic
finish to woven fabrics, by subjecting the selvages of the fabric to an alternate
or unequal progressive motion as the piece or pieces of such fabric is stretched,
dried, and passed continuously through the machine, as above described.
Secondly, the construction and arrangement of apparatus, as above described,
for stretching, drying, and finishing woven fabrics, the sides or stenter rails of
such apparatus being self-adjusting, according to the width at which the fabric
is to be dried.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Theodore Philippi, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
FREDERICK THEODORE (L.s.) PHILIPPI.
FREDERICK THEODORE (L.S.) PHILIPPI.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Fourteenth day of
December, in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Frederick Theodore
Philippi came before our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged
the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the Fifteenth day of December, in the year above written.