Apparatus for Treating Textile Fabrics with Steam.
Year: 1888

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by FRIEDRICH EMIL KOETHE, of Mühlhausen,
Thuringia, Germany, Manufacturer.]
Apparatus for Treating Textile Fabrics with Steam.
1, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent 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 an apparatus for steaming and treating or finishing textile
fabrics which, compared with existing steaming chambers for treating all kinds of
materials with steam for finishing textile fabrics and for dyeing purposes, possesses
the particular advantage that it allows of continuous working, easy accessibility and
manipulation, and that it is so arranged that the textile fabric subjected to steam
pressure therein, is hung up free in such manner as to pass through all the various
stages of the admitted steam from the hottest to the coolest parts and is consequently
steamed in a very uniform manner.
The goods to be treated are placed upon suspended frames which are arranged
consecutively on the circumference of a large drum and are caused to move past a
door for the introduction and removal of the goods. They are there stopped by a
connecting bridge provided with hooks which connect the same with the external
working floor whence the introduction and removal is effected, thus rendering the
frames readily accessible.
The arrangement of the apparatus is shewn on the accompanying drawing, in
which Fig. 1 shews a vertical section, Fig. 2 an end view, Fig. 3 a sectional plan
and Fig. 4 an enlarged detail. In a large casing a, capable of being closed
hermetically and constituting the steam chamber, is arranged a large drum which
may be constructed of iron, and which with its appendages approximately fills out the
entire steam space, its shaft c being carried in bearings in the walls of the casing.
To radial arms of the drum are connected, at the circumference of the latter, pendant
frames d which follow the motion of the drum, and at the same time oscillate, and
which may also be constructed of iron.
In place of the frames d may be used other equivalent contrivances suited for the
reception of the textile materials, suspended from the arms of the drum so as to
oscillate. The drum in revolving carries the separate frames or equivalent devices

page_text: consecutively closely past the charging door g, and the outer working floor in such
manner that the several frames d can be served from that place. The access to these
through the door g is effected by a bridge e which can be turned up on hinges, and is
provided with hook-shaped claws which embrace the frame or other device, and
prevent it from escaping while the textile material is being introduced or removed.
In order to enable the drum b, which is rotated by engine power, to be turned
round slowly when not so driven, in order to bring the several frames consecutively
in front of the bridge e so that the claws ff thereof may be made to engage with
the frames, external gearing worked by hand is provided, as shewn at Figs. 2 and 3.
After the introduction of the materials to be steamed, the door g is closed and
steam of the desired pressure being admitted, the drum b with its loaded frames d d
is set in motion.
For regulating the pressure of the entering steam, a reducing valve of any suitable
known construction may be used, and a safety valve is provided on the casing. The
water of condensation is led from the casing by suitable discharge pipes. In order
to enable such water of condensation, more particularly that trickling from the roof,
to be led away without coming in contact with, and thereby deteriorating, the
materials operated upon, 'the casing is made with a vaulted upper part terminating
in an angle at top as shewn.
The slow rotation of the drum together with the frames d for the purpose of
carrying the materials consecutively from the coolest part (that farthest away from
the steam inlet) to the hottest part, is effected from the outside by means of a
spur wheel and worm gearing acting upon the shaft of the drum or by any other
suitable transmission from the motor engine of the works, the drum being provided
with fast and loose pullies for throwing in and out of gear.
With this mechanism is also combined the before mentioned hand power gear hl
for bringing the frames into position in front of the bridge e as described.
The waste steam and water of condensation are led off in the usual manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In apparatus for steaming and finishing or treating fabrics, a drum & carrying
at its circumference frames or appliances d for the reception of the materials to be
treated and caused to rotate in a closed steaming chamber a for the purpose of
conveying the materials consecutively from the cooler to the hotter parts of the
chamber substantially as herein described.
• 2. Apparatus for steaming and treating textile materials wherein these materials
are arranged upon oscillating frames d on the circumference of a revolving drum b
in a closed steam chamber a, so as to be brought by the drum, in rotation, past the
door g, where the frames d or other appliances are held stationary by claws ff on a
hinged bridge, over which the materials are conveyed into or from the chamber,
substantially as herein described.
3. In steaming apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding claims, the use in
combination with the drum b, of hand gearing for bringing the several frames
consecutively into position in front of the bridge e for charging and discharging,
substantially as herein described.
4. In steaming apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding claims, constructing
the steaming chamber a with a pointed arched roof for the purpose of preventing
the dripping down of the condensed steam, substantially as herein described.
Dated this 10th L
SA 1000
ABEL & IMRAY
Agents for the Applicant.