Improvements in Apparatus for Washing the Endless Blankets, Back Cloths, and Set-off Webs of Printing Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Washing the Endless Blankets, Back
Cloths, and Set-off Webs of Printing Machines.
We, WILLIAM EDWARD RUMNEY of Watford Bridge, New Mills, in the
County of Derby, Calico Printer, JOHN COCHRANE of Springfield, New Mills,
Manager, and CHARLES HIGGINBOTTOM of Hayfield Road, New Mills, Foreman,
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 relates to apparatus for washing and drying the endless blankets
back cloths set-off webs and the like employed in printing machines.
In proceeding according to our invention, we employ a blanket cloth web or the
like which has been waterproofed, preferably on both sides of the fabric. This
fabric is led up from the printing machine over suitable rollers into a wash box
which we employ in substitution for the ordinary washing tank. In this wash box
the fabric is exposed to the action of jets of water and rotary brushes and is passed
in contact with ductors or scrapers. After being thus cleansed, the fabric is passed
between mangle rolls from which it goes to the drying cylinders and thence
returns to the printing machine. The wash box is made preferably with an
inclined bottom which is in open communication with a gutter pipe or other means
for conveying away the wash water or fluid freely so that none can accumulate in
the wash box.
By this arrangement no accumulation of dirt or scum can occur, and the fabric
will leave the wash box quite clean.
The accompanying drawing illustrates in what manner we may carry out our
invention and will be hereinafter referred to. The figure represents a sectional
end elevation of the washing and drying apparatus only, this being erected and
arranged in the usual manner above the printing machine which is not shewn or
indicated.
A is the framing of the apparatus; B the endless blanket; CC guide rollers;
D mangle or pressure rollers the pressure being exerted by a counterweight E, at
each end; F F ductors or scrapers; G G rotary brushes; H H jets for water or
other cleansing fluid; I the wash box; J the gutter; K K the drying cylinders
which are of the usual construction; and L, a dash plate.
The direction in which the fabric travels in each part of its course is indicated
by arrows.
We may employ one two or more rotary brushes or sets of rotary brushes and
water jets as may be required by the conditions in each case, and we prefer that each
set may consist of two brushes vertically arranged one above the other as shewn
by the drawing, but we may instead of such a set, use a single brush. Generally
however we employ two sets of such brushes, each set consisting of two brushes one
above the other and one spray pipe.
Above the rotary brush or upper rotary brush, or above each brush we arrange
a perforated pipe or series of jets H H which are in communication with a supply
of water or cleansing liquid and which are controlled by valves. The jets are
arranged to deliver the cleansing liquid between the brush and the fabric, and the
brushes are rotated as in existing apparatus, in contact with the fabric. Only one
perforated pipe or linear series of jets is employed with one set of rotary brushes.
As represented by the drawings, the fabric is led under a guide roller near the
bottom of the wash box, upwards in contact with the two rotary brushes the spray
and a ductor, over guide pulleys, down in contact with the same rotary brushes,
over another guide roller near the bottom of the wash-box, upwards and downwards

page_text: in respect of the second set of brushes as with the first set, and finally out of the
wash box through the mangle rolls to the drying cylinders. It will be seen that
the action of the water or cleansing fluid, of the brushes, and of the scrapers is
limited to one side of the fabric only, that being the only side which is soiled in
use. Hence, very much less liquid need be employed and the drying of the fabric
is much more quickly effected.
The dash plate L is arranged across the wash-box in such a manuer as to
prevent the spray from the rotary brushes touching the back of the cloth and
wetting it:
We are aware that rotary brushes have already been employed for similar
purposes, but in such cases the brushes have generally rotated in contact, with the
cleansing liquid contained in a tank and the fabric has dipped into the liquid,
which is what we desire to avoid by our invention. We are also aware that a
vertical series of rotary brushes having the same number of spray pipes between
them have been employed without a tank in which the blanket dipped, but in this
case the dirty water from the upper spray pipes and brushes interfered with the
action of that from the lower pipes so that the fabric 'was imperfectly washed and
much of the water or cleansing fluid was wasted. In no case do we employ one
spray pipe above another. We are also aware that in a similar machine indiarubber
squeegees have been employed, one on each side, to remove superfluous moisture
from the fabric after it has left the rotary brushes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is-
1. In apparatus for wasbing endless blankets back cloths and set-off webs of
printing machines, the combination and arrangement with a wash-box having a free
outlet, of one or more rotary brushes and one or more spray pipes, one or more
scrapers, a dash plate, a set of mangle rolls, and guide rollers, substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
2. An apparatus for washing endless blankets back cloths and set-off webs of
printing machines, constructed arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of April A.D. 1893.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicants.