Improvements relating to the Printing of Yarns and to Apparatus therefor, chiefly designed for use in the Manufacture of Tapestry and Tapestry-velvet Carpets and Rugs, and similar Fabrics.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Dec., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Printing of Yarns and to Apparatus
therefor, chiefly designed for use in the Manufacture of Tapestry
and Tapestry-velvet Carpets and Rugs, and similar Fabrics.
I, CHARLES HUGHES, of the firm of Edward Hughes & Sons, Carpet and Rug
Manufacturers, Town Carpet Mills, Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester,
and 1, Jewin Crescent, Jewin Street, in the County of London, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows
My invention relates to the printing of yarns and to apparatus therefor, and is
chiefly designed to facilitate and improve the manufacture of tapestry and tapestry-
velvet carpets and rugs, and similar fabrics in which the yarn is first printed and
then woven.
According to the method hitherto generally adopted, of printing yarns for use
in the manufacture of such fabrics, the yarn is wound upon a drum so that the
convolutions of the yarn are side by side; the colouring or printing of the yarn is
then effected by means of a roller revolving in colour or dye contained in a
travelling colour-box which moves to and fro transversely to the yarn from side to
side of the drum. In each movement of the said colour-box and roller across the
yarn on the drum, the said roller prints one "scroll" or line, or, as it is sometimes
technically termed, one type," that is to say, a length of each convolution of the
yarn sufficient to cover one "wire" in the woven fabric. The drum then has to be
turned through a small angle to permit the printing of the next "scroll" or line by
the same or another colour-roller, and so on until the whole of the yarn on the
drum is printed.
66
By this method, in the production of a full print pattern, that is to say, a
pattern which does not repeat itself in the width of the carpet, it is necessary that
the drum shall be filled 216 times, once for each of the 216 yarns or threads across
the fabric. As two printers can only print ten or twelve drums per day, this
method is very tedious, and, to economize in respect of both time and labour, it is
usual to wind on the drum sufficient yarn to serve for thirty-two pieces of carpet.
It has been proposed to use, in place of the aforesaid colour-roller and travelling
box, a colour-trough in which a colour-bar is so arranged that it can be caused to
first receive the colour from the trough and then apply it to the yarn on the drum.
This method is, however, adapted for printing only a single "scroll" or line at a
time, and also has other objections in common with the method above mentioned.
Now my invention comprises an improved method, whereby, instead of printing
only one " scroll "
or line in each operation of the printing or colouring devices,
am enabled to print one, two or more "scrolls or lines simultaneously. For
instance, I can apply to the yarn, in a single operation, the entire quantity of one
or other colour required for a full print or for a half, a quarter, or other fraction of
such print. Therefore, by my improved method, the printing is effected much
more expeditiously than heretofore, and I am enabled to print, in an economical
manner, sufficient yarn for either one or more pieces of carpet, instead of having
to print sufficient for a large number of picces in order to work economically.
In carrying my said invention into practice, I wind on a drum or on a frame of
any suitable description, a quantity of yarn sufficient for a full print or for the
desired fraction thereof, in such a manner that the convolutions of the yarn are
side by side, and I apply the colour to the yarn by means of blocks or raised
printing surfaces, or by means of rollers or the like used in combination with
stencil-plates, or by other suitable means.
I find it advantageous to provide a frame of suitable length for the whole of the
I

page_text: extended pattern, and of such width that it will serve for a full print, or for a half
a quarter or other fraction of such print. I make this frame with projections at
its ends between which I wind the yarn, placing between every two adjacen
projections any required number of turns or convolutions of the yarn, according to
the number of times such pattern has to be repeated in the length of the wover
fabric. I then colour the yarn at different places with different colours in such a
manner that, when the yarn is woven, the desired pattern will be produced on the
face of the fabric. This frame is made to fold or contract to facilitate the removal
of the printed yarn therefrom.
I use a separate block or stencil-plate and roller, or a separate set of blocks or
of stencil-plates and rollers, for each colour.
When I use stencil-plates, I so cut out each of the same that, when properly
applied to the said frame or drum, it will leave exposed, or permit the action of
the colouring devices upon, only such portions of the yarn as are to be printed with
the corresponding colour. I then pass over the stencil-plate, by hand or otherwise,
a roller, brush, or other suitable device to which the colour has been applied in any
convenient manner. The stencil-plates may be either placed around the drum, or
they may be caused to move in a direction tangential to the drum while the latter
rotates about its axis.
In some instances, I secure a stencil-plate to each side of the aforesaid frame,
after the yarn is wound thereon, and then pass the said frame under or over one
roller or between two rollers or sets of rollers, to which the colour is continuously
and uniformly supplied by other rollers or sets of rollers or by other suitable
devices. And in combination with a machine adapted for this purpose, I sometimes
provide cages or carriers whereby the frames can be transported to and from the
machine.
When the stencil-plates are used on a drum, I arrange one or more colouring-
rollers in such a manner that they bear against the stencil-plate on the drum, and,
when the latter is turned about its axis, the said roller or rollers will apply the
colour to the exposed portions of the yarn.
To obviate or diminish the liability to spreading or running of the colours on the
yarn, I sometimes place absorbent material, such, for example, as flannel, upon
the frame or around the drum, before the yarn is wound thereon. I can, however,
if desired, use any suitable waterproof or non-absorbent material upon the frame
or around the drum. I also find it advantageous for the purpose of preventing or
diminishing the running of the colour, to thicken the stencil-plates on the under or
inner side thereof at the ends of the holes, so that the yarn will be compressed at
these parts.
When I use raised printing surfaces, I sometimes make the same of such shape
that, when provided with colour and brought into contact with the yarn on the
drum, or on the frame, they will apply to the yarn at the proper places the entire
quantity of the particular colour required to produce the desired pattern or portion
of such pattern.
I find it advantageous to use, for this purpose, blocks made of felt or of india-
rubber or other suitable material surrounded by a narrow rim of copper or the like
to prevent spreading or running of the colour on the yarn. I can, however, use
blocks made in any other convenient manner. And I use rollers or other suitable
devices for supplying the colour to such blocks.
It will be seen from the foregoing statements that my improved method of
printing differs greatly from those heretofore adopted or proposed, because, instead
of applying the colour to the yarn in straight lines, as heretofore practised, I apply
the colour in the form of patches the shape of which varies according to the
pattern to be produced on the carpet, and according to the number of times the
pattern has to be repeated, so that, although the pattern which I produce on
the yarn is not the actual pattern extended, yet the yarn coloured by my method
will produce the actual pattern when woven. Moreover, I apply to the yarn in
one operation, the entire quantity of any particular colour required for the yarn

page_text: wound upon the frame or drum; whilst, by the methods hitherto devised, a great
number of operations are necessary in order to apply to the yarn on the drum the
required quantity of any particular colour.
Dated this 4th day of February 1892.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Printing of Yarns and to Apparatus
therefor, chiefly designed for use in the Manufacture of Tapestry
and Tapestry-velvet Carpets and Rugs, and similar Fabrics.
I, CHARLES HUGHES, of the firm of Edward Hughes & Sons, Carpet and Rug
Manufacturers, Town Carpet Mills, Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester,
and 1 Jewin Crescent, Jewin Street, in the County of London, 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 :-
My invention relates to the printing of yarus and to apparatus therefor, and is
chiefly designed to facilitate and improve the manufacture of tapestry and
tapestry-velvet carpets and rugs and similar fabrics in which the yarn is first
printed and then woven.
According to the method hitherto generally adopted of printing yarns for use
in the manufacture of such fabrics, the yarn is first wound upon a drum so that
the convolutions of the yarn are side by side; the colouring or printing of the yarn
is then effected by means of rollers revolving in colours or dyes contained in
travelling colour-boxes which move to and fro transversely to the yarn from side
to side of the drum. In each movement of a colour-box and roller across the yarn
on the drum, the said roller prints one "scroll" or line, or, as it is sometimes
technically termed, one type;' that is to say, a length of each convolution of
the yarn sufficient to cover one "wire" in the woven fabric. The drum then has
to be turned through a greater or less angle to permit the printing of another
"scroll," line or "type across the drum by the same or another colour-roller,
and so on until the whole of the yarn on the drum is printed.
"
"
By this method, in the production of a full print pattern, that is to say, a pattern
which does not repeat itself in the width of the piece of carpet, it is necessary that
the drum shall be filled 216 times, once for each of the 216 yarns or threads across
the fabric. As in ordinary practice two printers can only print ten or twelve
drums per day, this method is very tedious, and, to economize to some extent in
respect of both time and labour, it is usual to wind on the drum sufficient yarn to
serve for one thread in say thirty-two pieces of carpet, so that, when the drum
has been filled with yarn 216 times and the necessary colours have been applied to
such yarn, there is enough printed yarn to make say thirty-two pieces of carpet all
of the same pattern.
It has been proposed to use, in place of the aforesaid colour-rollers and travelling
boxes, colour-troughs in which colour-bars are so arranged that they can be caused
to first receive the colour from the troughs and then apply it to the yarn on the
drum. This method is, however, adapted for printing across the yarn on the drum
only a single "scroll," line or type" at a time, the drum having to be turned
through a greater or less angle after each "scroll," line or "type" is printed;
the said method also possesses other disadvantages in common with the method
above mentioned.
66
Now my invention comprises au improved method, whereby, instead of printing
on each thread only one "scroll" or
type" in each operation of the printing or
colouring devices, I am enabled to print one, two or more "scrolls" or types

page_text: "
simultaneously, and to print these " "scrolls or "types" at the same time upon two
or more threads designed to form different portions of the pattern or print. For
instance, by my invention, I can apply to one or more threads or yarns in a
single operation, the entire quantity of one or other colour required for a full print
or for a half, a quarter or other fraction of such print, and by thus successively
applying the several colours required to produce the desired pattern, I complete
the printing of the yarn. Therefore, by my invention, the printing is effected much
more expeditiously than heretofore, and I am enabled to print, in an economical
manner, sufficient yarn either for a single piece of carpet or for any other desired
number of pieces of carpet, instead of having to print at one time sufficient yarn
for a very large number of pieces in order to work economically.
"
In carrying my said invention into practice, I wind on a drum or on a frame of
any suitable description, a quantity of yarn sufficient for a full print or for a half
print or other desired fraction of a print, in such a manner that the convolutions
of the yarn are side by side; I then apply the requisite colours to the yarn, either
in "scrolls or in regularly or irregularly shaped patches comprising one or more
"types" as may be necessary, in such a manner that the pattern produced on the
yarn wound on the said drum or frame is the actual pattern extended both longi-
tudinally and transversely or laterally. I effect the printing in this manner by
means of blocks or raised printing-surfaces, or by means of rollers or other colouring
devices used iu combination with peculiarly shaped stencils or stencil-plates, or by
other suitable means.
I find it advantageous to provide a frame of a length equal to that of the
extended pattern, and of such width that it will serve for a full print, or for a half,
a quarter or other fraction of such print. I make this frame with projections at its
ends between which I wind the yarn, placing in the spaces between the said
projectious a greater or less number of turns or convolutions of the yarn, according
to the number of times the pattern has to be repeated in the length of the piece or
pieces of woven fabric, that is to say, in each of the said spaces 1 wind sufficient
yarn to form a single thread which will extend throughout the length of the piece
or pieces of fabric. I then colour the yarn on the frame at different places with
different colours in such a manner that, when the said yarn is removed from the
frame and is woven, the desired pattern will be produced on the face of the fabric
thus made. The said frame is made to fold or contract in order to facilitate the
removal of the printed yarn therefrom.
I use a separate block or printing-surface or a separate stencil-plate and roller,
for each colour, an entire set of printing-surfaces or stencil-plates is, therefore,
required to produce a complete pattern. It is obvious, however, that the printing-
surface or stencil-plate for each colour, instead of being made in one piece, may
consist of two or more pieces as may be most convenient.
When I use stencils or stencil-plates, I so cut out or shape each of the same
that, when properly applied to the said frame or drum, it will leave exposed or
permit the action of the colouring devices upon only such portions of the yarn as
are to be printed with the corresponding colour, the stencil-plate for each colour
having portions cut therefrom corresponding in length to the portions of that
colour in the extended pattern, and of greater or less width according to the
desired number of times the pattern is to be repeated in the length of the
piece of woven fabric, and according to the number of pieces of fabric for which
the yarn wound on the drum or frame is intended. In order to print the whole..
of the yarn on the drum or frame, it is necessary to use successively all the different
stencil-plates of the set designed to produce the particular pattern. When either
of these stencil-plates is placed upon the yarn on the drum or frame, I pass over
the said stencil-plate, by hand or otherwise, a roller, brush or other suitable device
to which the desired colour has been applied in any convenient manner.
In some instances, I secure a stencil-plate to each side of the aforesaid frame,
after the yarn is wound thereon, and then pass the said frame under or over one
or more rollers or between two rollers or sets of rollers to which the colour is

page_text: continuously and uniformly supplied by other rollers or sets of rollers or by other
suitable devices.
In combination with a machine adapted for the purpose of my invention, I
sometimes provide cages or carriers whereby the frames can be transported to and
from the machine.
It is evident that, instead of moving the frame along over or under or between
the rollers, I can, if desired, secure the frame in any convenient manner and arrange
the rollers to travel along the said frame.
When the stencil-plates are used on a drum, I arrange one or more colouring-
rollers in such a manner that they bear against the stencil-plate on the drum, and,
when the latter is turned about its axis, the said roller or rollers will apply the
colour to the exposed portions of the yarn. Or the rollers are arranged to move
around the drum, the latter remaining stationary. The stencil-plates are either
placed around the drum or they are caused to move in a direction tangential to the
drum; in the latter case, the drum and colour-rollers must all rotate about their
Suitable means are provided for keeping the several threads separate from
each other on the said drum.
axes.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a machine adapted for printing yarn according
to my improved method.
Figure 2 is a plan showing a portion of one of my frames with the yarn and a
stencil-plate thereon.
Figure 3 is a plan, and
Figure an edge view showing a frame so constructed that it can be readily
contracted and expanded as required.
Figure 5 is a plan of part of the said frame showing the same expanded ready
to receive the yarn, and
Figure 6 is a side elevation showing an adjustable device for keeping separate
the threads wound on the drum.
A is the frame of the machine; B, B are rollers upon which are supported and
arranged to move to and fro the frames C whereon the yarn D is wound; these
frames are provided with projections C₁ for separating the threads thereon;
E, E are the stencils or stencil-plates, one of which is secured to each side of the
frame C in the arrangement shown; F, F' are roliers covered with felt, flannel or
other suitable material, for applying the colour to the yarn. These rollers are
supplied with colour from the colour-troughs G, G₁ by means of distributing
rollers H, H. Suitable gearing of any well-known description is provided for
imparting rotary motion in opposite directions to the rollers F, F¹ and for moving
the frame C longitudinally through the machine, and also for imparting
the requisite motion to the rollers in the troughs G, G¹ and to the distributing
rollers H, H'.
A machine constructed in this manner may be used for each colour. Or, if
desired, the rollers and colour-troughs may be so arranged that, when one colour
has been applied thereby to the yarn on one or more frames, the said rollers and
troughs can be readily removed and replaced by similar rollers and colour-troughs
for applying another colour.
I sometimes provide both above and below the frame C, a set of two or more
colour-rollers.
It is not, however, absolutely necessary to use stencil-plates and rollers both above
and below the frame as shown. In some cases, 1 use a stencil-plate on one side
only of the frame and provide one or more colour-rollers arranged either above or
below the frame as may be deemed most advantageous. With this arrangement
the stencil-plate and colour may be applied first to one side and then to the other
side of the frame; or all the colour is applied to the yarn on both sides of the
frame from one side only of the said frame. Moreover I find it advantageous to
support the frame and the yarn thereon against a soft bed of felt or other suitable
material while the colour is being applied to the yarn.

page_text: The frame C shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, is provided with a fixed cross-bar C
and with a movable or adjustable cross-bar C³ fitted in slots in the side bars of
the said frame. The cross-bars C2, C³ are provided with the projections C', in the
spaces between which projections the yarn is to be wound. When the frame is
extended, as shown in Figure 5, to receive the yarn, the cross-bar C³ is held in
place by means of catches J pivoted at J' to the side bars and held in position by
turn-buttons K. The catches J are provided with notches J2 so that they will
also serve for retaining the cross-bar C³ in position when the frame is contracted
as shown in Figures 3 and 4. L, L' are removable bars for preventing displace-
ment of the yarn from the spaces between the projections C when the frame is
contracted. The bar L is formed with recesses to engage with the projections C₁
on the cross-bar C2, whilst the bar L' is provided with tubes or recessed rods L²
to engage with the projections C' on the cross-bar C³. These bars are secured
in place by means of nuts M. The frame C is provided with trunnions C
to facilitate the winding of the yarn thereon and the unwinding of the same
therefrom.
The yarn, when wound on the said frame, is printed as above described; and it is
advantageous that, before the said yarn is removed from the frame, it should be
steamed to fix the colour, and that the frame should then be contracted and the
bars L, L applied thereto, and the yarn washed and dried. The yarn is then
removed from the frame, and the several threads may, if desired, be wound there-
from directly upon the beam of the loom, ready for weaving. The necessity for
setting the pattern after printing the yarn, is thus entirely obviated.
The colour-rollers are preferably covered with some suitable soft material such
as felt. I can, however, use rollers covered with any suitable composition, such as
ordinary printer's rollers.
When the yarn is wound upon a drum, I sometimes provide the said drum with
a device, such as is shown in Figure 6, for separating the threads on the drum.
This device comprises a plate N₁ fitted into a transverse groove in the drum N,
and a bar P provided with a series of pins or spikes PI and fitted to slide in
brackets Q so that the said pins or spikes may be caused to project through holes
in the plate N, the bar being then secured in place by pins inserted in holes Q' in
the bracket Q.
To obviate or diminish the liability to spreading or running of the colours on the
yarn, I sometimes place absorbent material, such, for example, as felt or flannel,
under the yarn on the frame or drum, before the yarn is wound thereon. I can,
however, if desired, use any suitable waterproof or non-absorbent material under the
yarn. I also find it advantageous for the purpose of preventing or diminishing the
running of the colour, to thicken the stencil-plates on the under or inner side
thereof at the ends of the holes, so that the yarn will be compressed at these
parts.
When I use raised printing-surfaces, I sometimes make the same of such shape
that, when provided with colour and brought into contact with the yarn on the
drum, or on the frame, they will apply to the yarn at the proper places the entire
quantity of the particular colour required to produce the desired pattern or portion
of such pattern. I can, however, use printing-surfaces of such shape that two or
more are required in applying each of the colours.
I find it advantageous to use, for this purpose, blocks made of felt or of india-
rubber or other suitable material surrounded by a narrow rim of copper or the like
to prevent spreading or running of the colour on the yarn. I can, however, use
blocks made in any other convenient manner. And I use rollers or other suitable
devices for supplying the colour to such blocks.
It will be seen from the foregoing statements, that my improved method of
printing differs greatly from those heretofore adopted or proposed, because, instead
of applying the colour to the yarn in single straight lines or "scrolls'
drum, as heretofore practised, I apply the colour in the form of patches the shape
of which varies according to the pattern to be produced on the carpet, and according
across the

page_text: to the number of times the pattern has to be repeated, so that the pattern which I
produce on the yarn on the drum or frame is the actual pattern extended laterally
as well as longitudinally, and the yarn coloured by my method, when woven, will
produce the actual pattern or a portion of such pattern. Moreover, I apply to the
yarn in one operation the entire quantity of any particular colour required for the
yarn wound upon the frame or drum; whilst, by the methods hitherto devised, a
great number of operations are necessary in order to apply to the yarn on the drum
the required quantity of any particular colour.
It is evident, however, that I can, if desired, wind the yarn on a drum or frame
and print thereon, by means of stencils as above described, "scrolls" or lines of
different colours so as to produce a single printed thread for several pieces of carpet,
each opening in the stencil-plate serving for either one or more " scrolls
"types" as may be required.
"
or
I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to the use of any of the special
means herein before particularly described, for applying the colour to the yarn
according to my improved method as above described.
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 :-
First. The printing of yarn for the manufacture of tapestry or tapestry-velvet
carpets or rugs or similar fabrics, by a method wherein the entire quantity of each
colour for a full print, a half print or other fraction of a print, is applied to the
yarn in one operation, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The herein described method of printing simultaneously on the same
drum or frame two or more threads designed to form different portions of a pattern
or print, for the purposes above specified.
Third. The method of printing yarn, consisting in winding on a drum or frame
sufficient yarn for a full print or for any desired fraction of a print, and then
successively applying the different colours to the yarn on the said drum or frame in
patches comprising one or more types" as required, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
66
Fourth. In the printing of yarn for the manufacture of tapestry or tapestry-
velvet carpets or rugs or similar fabrics, the use of stencil-plates or printing-
surfaces substantially in the manner hereinbefore described for the purposes
specified.
Fifth. In the printing of yarn, the use of a frame provided at opposite ends
thereof with projections between which the yarn is to be wound, and so constructed
that it can be folded or contracted, for the purpose above specified.
Sixth. The frame constructed substantially as described with reference to
Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings for the purpose above specified.
Seventh. A machine constructed substantially as hereinbefore described for
printing yarn in the manner set forth.
Eighth. A drum for the printing of yarn, provided with a suitable device for
keeping the threads separate from each other, substantially as, and for the purpose,
above specified.
Ninth. A stencil-plate or set of stencil-plates adapted for use in the printing of
yarn in the manner above set forth.
Tenth. The herein described method of preparing yarn for the manufacture of
tapestry or tapestry-velvet carpets or rugs or similar fabrics, which method consists
in first printing the yarn on a suitable frame, and then steaming, washing and drying
the yarn before removing it from the said frame.
| Dated the 3rd day of December 1892.
Dated the 3rd day of December 1892.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.Ć., Agents for the Applicant.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.