A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STEAMING OR BLOWING' WOVEN FABRICS IN THE PROCESS OF DYEING AND FINISHING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Oates Ingham, of the Firm of Oates, Ingham, and Sons,
of Bradford, in the County of York, Dyers and Finishers, and Charles
Herbert Holt, of Huddersfield, in the same County, Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR STEAMING
OR BLOWING' WOVEN FABRICS IN THE PROCESS OF DYEING AND FINISHING."
Sealed the 21st July 1876, and dated the 24th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Oates Ingham and Charles
Herbert Holt at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th
January 1876.
OATES INGHAM, of the Firm of Oates, Ingham, and Sons, of Bradford, in tho
County of York, Dyers and Finishers, and CHARLES HERBERT HOLT, of Hudders-
field, in the same County, Engineer. "A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR STEAMING OR BLOWING' WOVEN FABRICS IN THE PROCESS OF
DYEING AND FINISHING."
This Invention consists in steaming or blowing woven fabrics in an inclosed
vessel in which a vacuum may be formed, whereby a considerable saving of time
and fuel is effected. The fabrics are wound upon hollow perforated cylinders or
"cans" in the usual manner, and one or more of these cylinders are placed in
position on steam nozzles in the vessel, which is then closed and rendered air-tight.
The air is then exhausted by an air pump or other known means, and steam
admitted through the nozzles into the hollow "cans," which passes through the
fabrics and charges the vessel with steam. The fabrics are thus thoroughly and
more evenly steamed on account of the air being exhausted from the fibres of the
fabric previous to the steam being introduced.
Instead of forming a vacuum by exhausting the air it may be expelled from the
vessel through a valve by the steam introduced thereto.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Oates Inghain and Charles Herbert Holt in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th July 1876.
OATES INGHAM, of the Firm of Oates, Ingham, and Sons, of Bradford, in the
County of York, Dyers and Finishers, and CHARLES HERBERT HOLT, of Hudders-
[PA]

page_text: field, in the same County, Engineer. "A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR STEAMING OR BLOWING' WOVEN FABRICS IN THE PROCESS OF
DYEING AND FINISHING."
This Invention consists in steaming or blowing woven fabrics in an enclosed
vessel in which a vacuum may be formed, whereby a considerable saving in time
and fuel is effected. The fabrics are wound upon hollow perforated cylinders or
"cans" in the usual manner, and one or more of these cylinders are placed in
position on steam "nozzles" in the vessel, which is then closed and rendered air-
tight. The air is then exhausted by an air pump or other known means and steam
admitted through the nozzles into the hollow "cans," which passes through the
fabrics and charges the vessel with steam. The fabrics are thus thoroughly and
more evenly steamed on account of the air being exhausted from the fibres of the
fabric previous to the steam being introduced.
Instead of forming a vacuum by exhausting the air it may be expelled from the
vessel through a valve by the steam introduced thereto.
In order that our Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be
performed, may be more fully understood, we herein give reference to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings marked with figures and letters of reference.
Fig. 1 is a sectional clevation of our apparatus, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of
same.
A is a vessel provided with a hinged top or lid B constructed in such manner
that when closed the joint is rendered perfectly air-tight. Through the bottom of
this vessel project steam nozzles C, upon which are placed the hollow perforated
cylinders D upon which the fabrics to be steamed or "blown" are wound. For the
purpose of readily placing the cylinders upon the nozzles and removing them
therefrom I construct a frame consisting of two plates E and F, connected by rod
G, terminating in a ring H. These plates are provided with holes or slots
corresponding with the steam nozzles in the vessel. The necks of the steam
cylinders are placed in these holes, and when the frame is filled they are lifted by
crane or winch into the vessel which is provided with angle iron guides J, which
guide the cylinder ends on to the "steam nozzles." After the cylinders are placed
within the vessel the lid is closed and the air is exhausted or pumped out through
the pipe K by air pump or similar means, the object being to withdraw the air
from the fibres of the cloth or fabric. When this has been done steam is intro-
duced through the nozzles, and the fabrics are thoroughly and evenly steamed.
Instead of exhausting the air by the means above described it may be expelled
through the valve K by introducing steam through the "nozzles." As soon as the
vessel is full of steam the valve may be closed and the steam allowed to condense
so as to produce a partial vacuum. The air before contained in the fabrics will
then expand and diffuse itself equally throughout the cylinder. This operation
may be repeated until the cylinder is practically exhausted of air.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practice, we would have it
understood that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details of construction
or form of apparatus herein shewn and described, as the same may be varied, but
what we claim as our Invention is, the method of and apparatus for facilitating
the steaming or "blowing" of woven fabrics, substantially as herein described and
illustrated by Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Herbert Holt, for and on behalf of
myself and the said Oates Inghamn, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and arvan
CHARLES HERBERT HOLT. (L.S.)