IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Westwell, of Rawtenstall, in the County of -
Lancaster, Mechanic, Richard Law, of the same Place, Loom Overlooker, and
James Rothwell, of Newchurch, near Rawtenstall, Felt Manufacturer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
FELT."
Sealed the 18th January 1878, and dated the 3rd November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Westwell, Richard
Law, and James Rothwell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 3rd November 1877.
RICHARD WESTWELL, of Rawtenstall, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanic,
RICHARD LAW, of the same Place, Loom Overlooker, and JAMES ROTHWELL, of
Newchurch, near Rawtenstall, Felt Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT."
Our Invention is applicable to the machines used in the manufacture of felt
known as hardening machines; in these machines the fleece of fibres of which the
felt is composed is carried over a series of revolving bottom rollers, and under a
series of top rollers moving to and fro endwise.
Some of the bottom rollers are made of wood, and others of sheet copper, heated
by steam.
Now, our Invention consists in dispensing with the revolving heated copper
rollers, and in employing stationary rollers or steam chests of any desired section
in lieu thereof. As these steam chests are stationary, no stuffing boxes are required
at their ends; they are consequently cheaper, and not liable to collapse.
The rollers or chests are made of copper or other suitable material, and they may
be heated by hot air or other equivalents instead of by steam.
The felt, on leaving the hardening machine, is washed and otherwise operated
upon in the ordinary manner, and it is then stretched on a tentering frame, and

page_text: dried in a dryhouse; and in order to produce the required heat in the dryhouse, we
cause air to circulate through a coil of pipes surrounded by the fire of a furnace;
the air from the dryhouse is admitted to one end of the coil, and, after passing
through the coil, it is discharged again into the dryhouse by a fan or otherwise.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Westwell, Richard Law, and James Rothwell in the Great
⚫ Seal Patent Office on the 1st May 1878.
RICHARD WESTWELL, of Rawtenstall, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanic,
RICHARD LAW, of the same Place, Loom Overlooker, and JAMES ROTHWELL, of
Newchurch, near Rawtenstall, Felt Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT."
Our Invention is applicable to the machines used in the manufacture of felt
known as "hardening machines;" in these machines the fleece of fibres of which
the felt is composed is carried over a series of revolving bottom rollers, and under a
series of top rollers, which press on the former and rèvolve therewith, and the same
time that an endwise to-and-fro motion is imparted to the said top rollers.
Some of the bottom rollers are made of wood, and others of sheet copper, heated
by steam.
Now, our Invention consists in dispensing with the revolving heated copper
rollers, and in employing stationary tubes or steam chests of any suitable sections
in lieu thereof. As to the tubes or steam chests are stationary, no stuffing boxes are
required at their ends, and they are consequently less expensive than the revolving
rollers, and not liable to collapse.
The steam tubes or chests are made of copper or other suitable material, and they
may be heated by hot air or other equivalent instead of by steam.
In some cases we propose to employ the ordinary copper rollers for this purpose,
dispensing with the stuffing boxes, and fixing the roller's immovably, so as to convert
them into stationary steam chests.
The felt, on leaving the hardening machine, is washed and otherwise operated
upon in the ordinary manner, and it is then stretched upon a tentering frame, and
dried in a drying house; and in order to produce the required heat in the said
drying house, we cause air to circulate through a coil of pipes surrounded by the
fire of a furnace; the air from the drying house is admitted to one end of the coil,
and after passing through the whole length of the coil, and thus becoming dried
and heated, it is discharged again into the drying house by means of a fan or
otherwise.
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, we wish it to be understood that we claim as our Invention,-
First. The substitution in machines used in the manufacture of felt, and
known as "hardening machines," of heated stationary tubes or steam chests instead

page_text: of revolving rollers, or the fixing or fastening of the revolving rollers, so as to convert
them into stationary tubes or steam chests, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein-before set forth.
And, Secondly. The method of drying and heating the air in the drying house by
causing it to pass through a coil of pipes surrounded by the fire of a furnace, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Rothwell (on behalf of myself and
the said Richard Westwell and Richard Law), have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JAMES ROTHWELL. (L.S.)