IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING WOOL OR OTHER ANIMAL FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, YARNS, AND WOOLLEN FABRICS FOR DYEING
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Lee, of Bradford, in the County of York,
Colour Mixer and Dyer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PREPARING WOOL OR OTHER ANIMAL FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, YARNS, AND
WOOLLEN FABRICS FOR DYEING."
Sealed the 18th December 1866, and dated the 23rd June 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Lec at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd
June 1866.
I, ALFRED LEE, of Bradford, in the County of York, Colour Mixer and
Dyer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PREPARING WOOL OR OTHER ANIMAL FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, YARNS, AND WOOLLEN
FABRICS FOR DYEING," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in steaming such fibrous substances, yarns, and
fabrics in an enclosed vessel or chamber at a pressure varying from one
pound to six on the square inch for any suitable length of time according to
the particular class of wool or material under operation. Heretofore in
preparing animal fibrous substances for dyeing they have been subjected to
boiling in an open vessel at the atmospheric pressure only, but I have found
that by subjecting them to boiling or steaming in an enclosed vessel at a
pressure varying in amount according to circumstances that the greasy, gummy,
or other matters existing or contained in such fibres, and which now prevent
the dye liquor from penetrating or taking proper effect thereon, are more
freed therefrom than by the usual method of boiling, and consequently I am
enabled to produce better effects or more brilliant colours on animal fibres by

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Lee in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
December 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
LBE, of Bradford, in the County of York, Colour Mixer and Dyer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Alfred Lee, Her special licence that I, the said Alfred Lee,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Alfred Lee, 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PREPARING WOOL OR OTHER ANIMAL FIBROUS SUBSTANCES, YARNS,
AND WOOLLEN FABRICS FOR DYEING," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Alfred Lee, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be 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 Alfred Lee, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in steaming such fibrous substances, yarns, and
fabrics in an enclosed vessel or chamber at a pressure varying from one
pound to six on the square inch for any suitable length of time according to
the particular class of wool or material under operation. Heretofore in
preparing animal fibrous substances for dyeing they have been subjected to
boiling in an open vessel at the atmospheric pressure only, but I have found

page_text: that by subjecting them to the action of steam in an enclosed vessel at a
pressure varying in amount according to circumstances that the greasy,
gummy, or other matters existing or contained in such fibres (and which now
prevent the dye liquor from penetrating or taking proper effect thereon) aro
more freed therefrom than by the usual method of boiling, and consequently
I am enabled to produce better effects or more brilliant colours on animal
fibres by the employment of the same kind and quality of dye wares, and
also by the use of a less quantity than heretofore.
In carrying this Invention into practical operation I have found that the
most suitable vessel or chamber to be employed for the purpose is what is
called "cottage steamers" used in print works for steaming yarn and fabrics
after having been printed, and which are well known by those conversant
with the subject, but other forms or constructions of vessels may be employed
according to the convenience or other circumstances of each particular case.
Also the most suitable pressure and the length of time must necessarily vary
according to the particular kind or state of the wool or other animal fibre
under operation, and which can only be determined by practical experience.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and explained the
best means or manner that I am acquainted with for performing or carrying
the same into practical effect, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to any particular construction of vessel, or amount of steam
pressure, or the length of time which it is to be applied; but what I claim as
my Invention is, the subjecting of such substances to the action of steam in
an enclosed vessel or chamber at a pressure of from one to six pounds on the
square incb.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Lee, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-six.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-
named Alfred Lee in the presence of
ARTHUR B. CROSSLEY,
Clerk to W. Tasker,
Patent Agent,
Halifax.
ALFRED LEE. (L.S.)