IMPROVE- MENTS IN DRYING OR EXTRACTING MOISTURE FROM AIR, AND IN MACHINERY
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Bragg, the younger, of Belfast, in the County
of Antrim, in Ireland, Commission Agent, for the Invention of" IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DRYING OR EXTRACTING MOISTURE FROM AIR, AND IN MACHINERY
Sealed the 8th May 1857, and dated the 25th November 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Bragg at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
November 1856.
I, HENRY BRAGG the younger, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, in
Ireland, Commission Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING, OB EXTRACTING MOISTURE FROM AIR, AND IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR STARCHING, CLEARING, DRYING, STRETCHING, AND
FINISHING FABRIUS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in subjecting fabrics placed in air-tight vessels to
the action of compressed air and to partial vacuum during the process of
starching, or when starched to effect the operation of clearing, and to force the
starch or dressing into the threads of the fabrio; also in winding fabrics so or
otherwise prepared upon discs or upon cylinders whose circumference is formed
of perforated sheet metal or other open work, or of slender rods, and in forcing
air through the fabrics, when thus wound on the discs or cylinders, either from

page_text: the interior or exterior, for the purpose of drying and clearing it. The air
employed for drying tho fabric may be drawn or forced through quicklime, or
deliquescent salts or acids, to deprive it of its moisture, into and kept under
pressure in a receiver, similar to a gasometer, and it may be heated by steam
pipes or otherwise. The fabric when being wound on the cylinder or discs
has in some cases a narrow strip of suitable material wound up with it at each
selvage to prevent the rubbing together of the folds, and sometimes two fabrics
are wound on at the same time, one of which has a smooth surface to impart
a gloss or finish to the other. When elasticity of finish is required, an excen-
tric or other agent is employed to act on one or both of the discs or ends of
the cylinder during the process of drying. This excentric or other agent
imparts a to-and-fro motion to the discs or ends of the cylinder, the circum-
ference of the latter being so connected to the two ends as to allow of tho
twisting or diagonal motion and springs, or other means are applied to one or
both of the ends or discs to maintain the tension of the fabric. The drying
and clearing may be effected by causing the cylinder or discs with the fabric
upon them to revolve rapidly; the air may be forced or drawn through the
fabric while revolving.
Another part of my Invention consists in a machine for drying fabrics in
continuous lengths, by taking them over and under or around two opposite
series of discs, placed at the same distance apart as the width of the fabric, by
means of belts so applied and constructed as to hold the selvages in lieu of
pins. These discs may be all of the same or of different diameters, and placed
at right angles to or diagonally on their axis. (A large disc at one side of tho
frame may be opposite a smaller disc at the other side to impart elasticity of
finish). This machine may be used with belts furnished with pins to hold the
selvages in the ordinary manner. The sides of the frame to which the discs are
attached and the discs themselves are or may be provided with springs, weights,
or screws to give the proper tension to the fabric.
My Invention also consists of an endless jointed belt, or chain, or straps for
. securing the selvages of fabrics during the process of drying and finishing
without the aid of needle points or pins. The selvage is secured between these
jointed belts, chains, or straps pressed together by rollers jointed to the links,
or otherwise arranged and acted upon by vulcanized india-rubber or other
springs.
My improvements in finishing consist in softening or mellowing fabrics that
havo become hard or rigid in the process of drying, this part of my Invention
being applicable as a means of imparting elasticity in finish.. The machinery
consists of two sheets or endless webs passing around and between suitable

page_text: rollers placed a certain distance apart and having other rollers above and in
the spaces between them. The fabric to be operated upon is either plaited
down in folds and passed in folds or lengthwise, diagonally, or otherwise
between the webs and rollers.
Fabrics may be stretched and finished by passing them between two rollers
having ribs and V grooves on their circumferences, which may be covered with
a skin of vulcanised india-rubber or other suitable material. . The rollers are so
placed that the rib on one roller corresponds to the groove in the other; the
fabric in passing between these rollers, either at right angles or diagonally, is
mellowed and finished by the pressure and action of the ribs. A modification
of this machine may be made by making ribs and V grooves in two flat
surfaces, and in placing the fabric between two folds of india-rubber or other
suitable material while it is being compressed between the ribbed surfaces, or
the india-rubber or other material may be dispensed with. Or, the machine
may be made to stretch the fabric from selvage to selvage by making ribs
and V grooves on rollers at right angles to their axes, or by fixing discs at
certain distances apart on axes and covering one or both of the series of discs
or ribs and V grooves with some elastic material; or the elastic material may
be dispensed with, or one axis only may be provided with discs acting on a
solid roller of elastic material which yields to the pressure of the discs.
The last part of my Invention consists in certain improvements in machines
for imparting a flat pressure finish to fabrics supplied in continuous or succes-
sive lengths to the machine. Two endless chains of slabs(which may be or not
furnished with runners or rollers) made of metal or other material, and supplied
with suitable material to impart the finish, are made to pass over drums or
discs fixed to shafts, and these chains are compressed together to give the
requisite finish by springs or otherwise, the fabric to be operated upon passing
between the two endless chains.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Bragg in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th May 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
BRAGG, the younger, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, in Ireland, Com-
mission Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our

page_text: Lord Ono thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of
Her reign, did, for Ierself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Henry Bragg, Her special license that I, the said IIenry Bragg,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry
Bragg, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING, OR
EXTRACTING MOISTURE FROM AIR, AND IN MACHINERY on APPARATUS FOR STARCH-
ING, CLEARING, DRYING, STRETCHING, AND FINISHING FABRICS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Henry Bragg, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to ho filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Bragg, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, referenco being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My said Invention of improvements in drying or extracting moisture from
air consist in drawing or forcing it through quicklime or deliquiscent salts or
acids to deprive it of its moisture. When tho air has been thus dried or
deprived of its moisture, it may be collected in a receiver similar to a gasometer
and kept under pressure until required for use, and it may be heated by steam
pipes or otherwise, either in or in its course to or from such receiver; or the
air when thus dried instead of being collected in a receiver may be conveyed
direct to the machine room or apparatus where it is to be employed; or the
air of a room may be kpet in a state of dryness by similar means.
My improvements in starching and clearing fabrics consist in confining
them in air-tight vessels, and therein subjecting them to the action of com-
pressed air and to partial vacuum. The fabrics to be thus operated upon must
be saturated with starch or size before they are placed in the air-tight vessel,
and they may be placed therein in a rolled-up form in a fixed or moveable
wire web cup, so as to allow the free contact of the air all round them'; or they
may be rolled on cylinders of open work with a fold of blanketing or other
material between each fold of fabric, such cylinders to be air-tight in every

page_text: part not covered by the fabric; air is then forced into the vessel by means
of a double-acting blowing engine or other suitable apparatus until the required
degree of pressure is obtained, and the partial vacuum is or may be produced
by withdrawing the air from the vessel by the same air engine. The effect
of this compressed air and partial vacuum on the fabrics is to force tho
starch, size, or dressing into the threads of the fabric, and to clear the same
from the interstices or meshes of the fabric. The above-described improve-
ments may be performed without the aid of drawings, as any workman
conversant with the subject will be able to construct the requisite machinery
or apparatus. The other parts of my Invention relating to clearing, drying,
stretching, and finishing fabrics will be better understood on referring to the
Drawings appended hereunto, which represent certain forms under which my
improvements may be carried out in practice.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is a front elevation of a machine or apparatus for
clearing, drying, stretching, and finishing fabrics. a is a cylinder on which
the fabric is rolled; this cylinder may be variously constructed and of various
materials; the most advantageous modes of construction and application of
materials are the following:-
First, of brass or other rods fastened to the discs a' and a² at each end, and.
at the centre a by a rivet or screw working in a slot in the rod, so as to admit
of a vibrating or twisting motion being given by means of an eccentric or
other agent acting on a stud on one or both of the end discs. The centre disc
should be made with openings, so as to allow free passago through it, and the
axle a is made Lollow and perforated, one end being closed.
Second, of brass or other rods firmly attached to end discs and to one or
more intermediate dises (with openings through) if the length of the cylinder
should make such intermediate support desirable, the axle to be as above
described.
Third, of perforated sheet metal, wire web, or other open work firmly
attached to end discs and to intermediate open discs (if such be required for
strength), the axle as above.
Fourth, as described secondly and thirdly, but separated in the centre of its
length.
In this mode of construction there must be two end discs and two inter-
mediate open ones. One half of the cylinder is fixed on the axle, the
other half being moveable round and along it. The outside boss of the
moveable end dise is furnished with a set screw to fix it firmly on the axle
when required.
Fifth, as described secondly, thirdly, and fourthly, but instead of the end

page_text: discs being solid they are made with openings, in which are inserted vanes; or
other equivalent means are used to obtain currents of air into or out of the
interior of the cylinder when it revolves in certain directions; the axle may
bo hollow or solid.
upright frames c, c.
being wound on the
is a top roller of suitable weight working in slots in tho
This roller presses on the damp or wet fabric as it is
cylinder a, for the purpose of winding the fabric tightly
and evenly on the cylinder, and the top roller b may be made either hard or
with a soft surface by being covered with cloth or other elastic material.
When the cylinder is constructed as described firstly, the fabric should be
wound upon it at its full width (as it also may be when constructed according
to the other modes described), being pulled out in going on by hand or other-
wise, the cylinder being in the first place covered with a tight skin of cloth to
keep the fabric from shrinking during tho progress of drying; the vibratory
motion may be employed if required. The breadthening, when the fabric is
wound on the cylinder described fourthly, may be accomplished after the
piece has been wound on by binding the selvages sufficiently tight either by
cords or otherwise, and then drawing the moveable half of the cylinder from
the fixed half by a screw, rack, and pinion, or other means; vibratory motion
may be given as described above. The wet fabric may be rolled on tho
cylinders at shrunk width, and pulled out to the full breadth after being dried.
In some cases I wind up a dry smooth fabric, such as calendered jaconet,
with the wet fabric, so as to impart a gloss or finish to the latter; in other
cases, where one part of the fabric is thicker than the rest, as in cambric
hankerchiefs, arising in those from the corded borders, a narrow fabric, such
as tape, may be wound up to compensate for the thinness of the selvage.
The wet or moist fabrics having been wound on the cylinders a for drying
and cleaning either in the machine shewn in Figure 1 or elsewhere, I
perform the first operation, or both when necessary, by forcing either hot or
cold air through the hollow axles of the cylinders, constructed as described
firstly, secondly, thirdly, and fourthly, the air being conveyed in pipes (which
are furnished with stop-cocks or valves at suitable places for turning it on or
off) from a double-acting blowing engine or other suitable means, the air thus
forced into the cylinder finding its way out through the fabric; or I exhaust
the interior of the cylinders so constructed by the same means, thus drawing
air through the fabric from the outside; or I enclose such cylinders in nir-
tight chambers, and by exhausting the chamber by the means before described
I obtain a current of air through the hollow axle and out through the fabric;
or air may bo forced into the chamber and allowed to pass off through the
fabric into the cylinder, and out through the hollow axle, through which the

page_text: interior of the cylinder may be undergoing exhaustion at the same time if
desired. It is desirable that the cylinders should be kept gently revolving
while the drying and clearing is being effected, so as to ensure regularity in
these operations.
The drying and clearing of fabrics wound on cylinders constructed after the
manner described, fifthly, is accomplished by causing the cylinders to revolvo
rapidly in such direction that the vanes or other equivalent means in the end
discs will force the air into the interior of the cylinder and allow it to find its
way out through the circumference and the fabric wound thereon, or by
reversing the direction of motion the interior will become partially exhausted
by the reversed action of the vanes or other means, and the air will thus
penetrate through the fabric from the outside into the partial vacuum which
has been produced in the interior. When the fabric wound on the cylinder
is dry, with the exception of the selvages, a covering of some air-proof
material may be wound over the fabric, so as to compel the air to escape
through the selvages to ensure their being dried. As the cylinder a must be
wide enough for different breadths of fabric, I employ air-proof cuffs to cover
the ends of the cylinder when the ends are left uncovered by the fabric.
When the cylinder is made of plain perforated zinc, I put a fold or two of
some coarse fabric or wire gauze round it, so as to distribute the air freely
to the fabric. In order to prevent the escape of air, the perforations in
the axle a' are covered at one end by means of an elastic tube, attached
at one end to the boss of the disc a² and at the other end to the axle itself,
to allow for the shifting of the said disc out and in, in the former case leaving
the outlets for air in communication with the internal space of the cylinder.
In Figures 2 and 8, a² and a² are two discs, the former being held between
two fixed collars and the latter connected to the axle a' by a sliding key;
and are two discs, the axle of which works in slots in the upright
frames c, c.
A belt furnished with retaining clips, as shown in Figures 4, 5,
and 6, is wound on each of the discs 6' and 6, one end of each belt being
secured to each disc. I prefer to make the belt partly of strong woven fabric
and partly of india-rubber, and the retaining clips are made by preference of
copper or hard india-rubber, stamped or moulded to the proper shape, and
rivetted or otherwise secured to the belt.
In commencing operations, the belts are rolled on the discs b¹ and , their
circumferences resting with proper weight on those of a' and a³; the selvages
of the fabric to be dried and cleared are then fed in between the surface of
the discs a' and a' and the belts, as shewn by a dotted line, the other end
of each belt being fixed to the circumference of the said dises a' and a², the

page_text: requisite motion is then given to the axle a to wind the fabric with the belts
on to the discs a' and a. When the fabric is thus wound on the discs a
and a the ends of the belts are disconnected from the discs and and
made fast to the discs a' and a³, and when the material of which the belts are
made is hard and air-proof it may be perforated so as to admit the passage
of air to dry the selvages simultaneously with the rest of the fabric. The
drying is then effected as before described in reference to Figure 1. In some
cases roll fabrics on dises without the intermediate belts described, in which
case I fasten a belt over the selvages, or make use of a tape or strap in lieu
of tho said belts to keep all firin. The disc a' in Figure 2 must be loose on
the axle, but held between two collars fixed on it, as described, and the
disc a is connected to the axle with a sliding key. The object of this is to
allow the disc a' being turned a short way back and forth, so as to give a
twist or vibratory notion to the fabric. This may be done by a rod from an
excentric working on a stud projecting from the face of tho disc.
The disc a' is 'moveable along the axle, but cannot turn upon it, owing to
the sliding key above referred to. The object of its being moveable is to
admit of the fabric being brought out to the full width after being wound on
the discs. This may be done as follows:- is a ring (working against a
collar) with an arm at each side; to each arm a chain or strap is fixed, the
other ends of which (each being of the same length) are fastened to the
rollers and are wound up by turning the rollers by means of a handle c';
as the straps are wound up the disc a' is of course drawn further from a', and
the cloth or fabric is thereby stretched in width. When wound up tight the
weighted leverf is employed to keep up a continual strain, and thus to take
up any increased width given out by the fabric as the drying goes on.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 represent various modifications of my improve-
ments in continuous stretching, drying, and finishing frames, the length of
which in each case is optional.
In Figure 7, h, h, are a series of dises fitted on shafts extending from one
of the side frames to the other, or on studs revolving in fixed or moveable
bearings. is an endless strap passing over and under the discs h, h, and
around the pulleys, the former of which is turned round by steam or
other power; the strap is furnished with needle points to secure the selvages
of the fabric in the usual manner. The pulley j has projecting teeth taking
into holes in the strap, and similar projections are on the discs h, h. By this.
means the said dises aro turned round by the straps. The frame sides and
discs of this machine may be placed in the positions shewn in Figures 9 or 10,
so that the fabric on entering at may be narrow, and gradually drawn out

page_text: to its full width on leaving the machine at 21. Heat may be applied under
the fabric in its passage through the machine,. or open cylinders, such as those
described in reference to Figure 1, may be applied to the axles of the discs,
and the fabrics dried by forcing or exhausting air through them. Closed
cylinders heated by steam or otherwise may also be used.
In Figures 8 and 9, k, k, are a series of discs, placed in a line above the
discs 1, . The endless strap m, furnished with needle points, passes around
these discs and over the pulleys n, n', the former of which is driven and com-
municates motion to the discs in the manner above described, or by a chain
passing over pulleys on the axles of the discs and pulleys shewn at o. The
fabric enters the machine at and passes over and under the dises k and 7.
In Figure 9 I have shewn the discs as being fixed on studs revolving in
the frame sides, which are forced asunder by the screw p, screwn nut p', and
links p, or by any other suitable machinery; but the discs may be mounted on
axles furnished with open cylinders, similar to those shewn and described in
reference to Figure 1, for the purpose of forcing or drawing air through the
fabric as it passes through the machine. The roller m², whose axle works in
slots in the side frames, is for the purpose of keeping a uniform strain on
the strap m.
The plan, Figure 10, shows that the discs and may be mounted on side
frames which are nearer together at r, where tho fabric enters, then gradually
recede from each other, until they are wide enough apart to stretch the
fabric to its full width, the frames with the discs then remain parallel to
each other until the end where the fabric is delivered. On referring to
Figure 9 it will be seen that the discs 12, 13, are placed in an oblique direction
to the frame sides, and that the discs 12, 13, are also placed obliquely, for the
purpose of giving an elastic finish to the fabric. It is evident that the discs
of the frames shewn in Figures 7 and 8 may all be placed obliquely, or they
may bo vertical when the elastic finish is not required.
Figure 11 represents a modification of the machine shewn in Figure 8. In
this instance the discs k and revolve on studs attached to the levers s, 8,
which are jointed to the side frame at s'; a slight vibrating motion may be
imparted to these levers by the side shaft t, to which a slow rotary motion can
be given. To this shaft are fixed excentrics t', working against the ends of the
levers t; by this means the discs may be made to oscillate, so as to impart an
elastic finish to the fabric; or by stopping the rotary motion of the side shaft_t,
the levers s may be left stationary in a vertical or oblique position. The
strap m is furnished with needle points to retain the selvages of the fabric,

page_text: which enters ate and is delivered at . The drying of the fabric is effected
as above described.
Figures 12 and 13 are a side view and section of an improved jointed
double endless belt, chain, or strap, by means whereof the selvages of fabrics
may be secured while undergoing the operations of stretching, drying, and
finishing without the necessity for the needle points which are usually
employed. A is an endless belt of india-rubber cloth or other suitable
material, to which are rivetted or otherwise secured the frames B, which serve
as bearings for the rollers C; these rollers, when tho belt is in motion, run
upon the lower side or bottom of the rail or trough E, which is a fixture, and
extends the whole length of the stenter frame or other machine to which this
part of my improvements is applied. At the upper part of the rail or trough E
is a projecting rigid or elastic rib F, which serves as guide for the grooved
rollers G, revolving on axles passing through the links II and side plates I.
The selvage to be secured, indicated by the dotted line 2, is held between the
upper side of the belt A, and the under sido of the plates I at one side. I
prefer to make the belt A with an upper surface of india-rubber, and with a
back of strong canvas. The endless chain formed by the side plates I and
links II and the belt A are taken over pulleys placed at each ond of the
trough E, as shewn on a small scale at Figure 14. The selvage is secured by
the pressing together of the belt A, and side plates I, the requisite elasticity
being obtained from the india-rubber or other material of which the belt A or
rib F is composed.
Figures 15 and 16 represent two views of a modification of this part of my
Invention. In this instance there are are two endless belts J and K, the
former being provided with catching pieces, similar to those shewn and
described with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6. To the rail or trough D are
fixed the four ribs L, made of suitably prepared india-rubber or other clastic
material; these ribs serve as bearings for the axles of the two sets of rollers
M and N, between which the belts J and K travel; these belts
aro also con-
veyed over pulleys supported at each end of the trough D. The selvago
marked Z is caught between the catch pieces on the belt J and the upper
surface of the belt K, the requisite pressure between the two being obtained
by the elasticity of the ribs L and of the belts. It is evident, in both the
above modes of securing fabrics without needle points, that tho selvage is
caught hold of at one end of the trough and liberated at the other end.
I wish to remark here, that when my improvements in retaining the selvages
of fabrics without needle points are applied to either of the machines shown

page_text: and described in reference to Figures 7, 8, and 11, the upper strap must be
guided above by pulleys, in the manner shewn in Figure 14, the discs being
furnished with a flange of suitable depth to hold the straps, chains, or belts
laterally, as shewn at in Figure 10.
Figure 17 represents a section of an improved machine for softening or
finishing fabrics that have become hard or rigid in the process of drying. a, a,
are a series of rollers mounted on axles revolving in suitable bearings, and
b, b, are other rollers placed above those marked a, a; and in the spaces
between them the endless sheet or web c passes around the rollers a, a, and b, b,
and over the end rollers d, d, the former of which is made to revolve by
suitable gearing; the endless sheet or web e is taken in like manner around
the rollers a, a, and b, b, and over the end rollers f, f¹. The sheets or webs
move at the same speed, and are kept at the required degree of tension by the
rollers g, g; these sheets or webs impart motion to the rollers a, a, and b, b,
and prevent any injurious strain being given to the fabric under operation.
When this machine is used for softening and finishing fabrics, I prefer to
make the sheets or webs of india-rubber cloth; but when the fabrics have
to be dried simultaneously with the softening and finishing, the sheets or
webs must be made of some porous fabric or material. The fabric to bo
mellowed or finished is fed in at , between the two endless sheets or webs
c and e, and is delivered at ². The rollers a, a, and b, b, may be made with
solid surfaces and of any suitable material, or they may be of open work, as
shewn and described in reference to Figure 1. By applying heat to the rollers
a, a, and b, b, or to any of them, when made with solid surfaces, or forcing air
through them when perforated or open, this machine may be used to dry and
finish simultaneously. The fabric may either. pass continuously through the
machine, or it may be plaited down in folds and subjected to a to-and-fro
action by imparting motion to the rollers d and f, first in one direction and
then in the other; in the latter case I prefer to make the fabrics enter in a
diagonal direction, by which means an elastic finished is obtained.
I will now proceed to describe the last part of my Invention, reference being
had to Figures 18, 19, and 20.
Figure 18 is a sectional elevation of a machine for imparting a continuous
flat pressure finish to fabrics; and Figure 19 is another elevation, partly in
section, of the same machine. a, a, are axles, revolving in stationary bearings
in the side frames b, b. To these axles are fixed the discs c, c, around which
passes the endless chain of slabs d, d; these slabs are of metal or other
material, and have a stud at each end, taking in the recesses in the discs to
ensure a uniform motion being given to the slabs when the discs revolve.

page_text: The slabs are surrounded by and may be attached to an endless web of canvas
and india-rubber, or other suitable material, to impart the Gnish to the fabric.
The axles a' revolve in sliding blocks fitting in the frame sides, and to the
axles a' aro fixed discs c', furnished with slabs d', also surrounded by a web
of material, to impart the finish to the fabric, which is caused to enter at =
and delivered at. The slabs are furnished with rollers bearing on the
guidese and e', and these guides are supported by stays reaching from one
side frame to the other. The fabric passes continuously through the machine,
the requisite pressure for imparting the gloss and finish being obtained by the
pressure on the axles a'; this pressure may be given by levers, screws, or other
agents.
Figure 20 represents a modification of my improved machinery for im-
parting a continuous flat pressure finish. In this machine the rollers f, f',
may be all supported in fixed bearings; the endless belts i, i, pass between
the rollers g, g, which revolve in stationary bearings, and the rollers h, h,
which revolve in moveable bearings; these latter aro pressed down by levers,
weights, or other agents, thereby producing the required effect on the
fabric in its passage through tho machine. I wish to remark, that in both
the above-described machines the slabs may be united by jointed links, and for
some purposes the covering of india-rubber or other material may be dispensed
with, and in some cases the slabs may be dispensed with by making the web
of suitable thickness and strength.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to
the details herein set forth, as many variations may be made without departing
from the peculiar character of my Invention; and I declare that what I claim
is,―
First, drying or extracting moisture from air, by causing it to pass through
quicklime or deliquescent salts or acids.
Secondly, starching and clearing fabrics, by subjecting them to the action
of compressed air and partial vacuum in a closed vessel, as described.
Thirdly, clearing, drying, stretching, and finishing fabrics, either simul-
taneously or separately, when wound on cylinders whose circumferences are
made of perforated sheet metal, or otherwise open, to allow for the passage of
air, as shewn and described in reference to Figure 1.
Fourthly, clearing, drying, stretching, and finishing fabrics (either simul-
taneously or separately) whose selvages are retained on discs, as shewn and
described in reference to Figures 2 and 3.
Fifthly, the improved modes of retaining the selvages of fabrics without

page_text: the aid of needle points, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 4, 5, 6,
12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
Sixthly, the improved machinery, shewn and described in reference to
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, for stretching, drying, and finishing fabrics.
Seventhly, the improved machine, shewn and described in reference to
Figure 17, for softening and finishing fabrics, and particularly the endless
webs between which the fabric is passed.
Eighthly, the improved machinery, shewn and described in reference to
Figures 18, 19, and 20, by means whereof a continuous flat pressure finish
may be imparted to fabrics.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bragg, the younger, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of May, in the year of
our Lord Ouo thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
5 Witness,
II. B. BARLOW,
Manchester.
HENRY BRAGG, JON". (L.8.)