IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FINISHING CASHMERE AND OTHER STUFF' GOODS OR WOVEN FABRICS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Reffitt, John William Reffitt, and Joseph Reffitt,
all of Leeds, in the County of York, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FINISHING CASHMERE AND OTHER STUFF'
GOODS OR WOVEN FABRICS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Reffitt, John William
Reffitt, and Joseph Reffitt, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 15th October 1880.
JAMES REFFITT, JOHN WILLIAM REFFITT, and JOSEPH REFFITT, all of Leeds,
in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
FINISHING CASHMERE AND OTHER STUFF' GOODS OR WOVEN FABRICS."
Our improvements have reference to that part of "finishing" known as the
steaming and "black rolling" process.
We so construct our machine that the material may be rolled onto the cylinders,
steamed, and unrolled without being removed therefrom, saving thereby labour and
time usually occupied in moving the material from one machine to another, also
the risk of damaging by being knocked up and creased whilst in the roll through
carelessness of men is obviated.
Within suitable framework we mount a hollow shaft; to it are attached radially
any required number of pairs of arms provided with suitable bearings for the
reception of steaming cylinders. These steaming cylinders are hollow and of
ordinary construction; a steam way is provided between the hollow shaft and the
bearings on the arms, in each of which there is fitted a stop cock to regulate the
flow of steam.
Steam, when required, is admitted through the herein before mentioned hollow
shaft, and thence through the steain ways and bearings into the steaming cylinders,

page_text: from which it is passed through and operates upon the material which has been
previously placed on the cylinders.
At a convenient point on the machine and prior to the steaming operation a
rotary motion is given to the cylinders in their own bearings or axes, and each in
its turn has the material rolled onto it, and after being filled it is moved round on a
the radial arms to a suitable distance for the steaming operation.
When the steaming operation is completed the cylinders are again moved round
to a convenient point and relieved of the steamed material which is ready to be
passed onto the next operation.
The required motion is imparted to the various parts of the machine through 1
ordinary gearing from suitable motive power.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Reffitt, John William Reffitt, and Joseph Reffitt, in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 14th April 1881.
JAMES REFFITT, JOHN WILLIAM REFFITT, and JOSEPH REFFITT, all of Leeds,
in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
FINISHING CASHMERE AND OTHER STUFF' GOODS OR WOVEN FABRICS."
'
Our improvements have reference to that part of "finishing" known as the
steaming and "black rolling" process.
We so construct our machine that material may be rolled onto the cylinders,
steamed, and unrolled without being removed therefrom, saving thereby labour and
time usually occupied in moving the material from one machine to another, also the
risk of damaging by being knocked up and creased whilst in the roll through
carelessness of men is obviated.
Within suitable framework we mount a hollow shaft; to it are attached radially
any required number of pairs of arms provided with suitable bearings for the
reception of steaming cylinders. These steaming cylinders are hollow and of
ordinary construction; a steamway is provided between the hollow shaft and the
bearings on the arms, in each of which there is fitted a stop cock to regulate the
flow of steam.
Steam, when required, is admitted through the hereinbefore mentioned hollow
shaft, and thence through the steam ways and bearings into the steaming cylinders,
from which it is passed through and operates upon the material which has been
previously placed on the cylinders.
At a convenient point on the machine, and prior to the machine, and prior to the
steaming operation, a rotary motion is given to the cylinders in their own bearings
or axes, and each in its turn has the material rolled onto it, and after being filled it
is moved round on the radial arms to a suitable distance for the steaming
operation.
When the steaming operation is completed the cylinders are again moved round
to a convenient point and relieved of the steamed material, which is ready to be
passed onto the next operation.
The required motion is imparted to the various parts of the machine through
ordinary gearing from suitable motive power.
•
And in order that our Invention may be more completely understood reference is
given to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and marks thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2, a transverse section; and Fig. 3, a side
elevation.
a is the framework of the machine, on which is mounted the shaft b in bearings c.
The shaft b may be made hollow throughout or provided with a hollow enlarged
part or boss d; this may be one with the shaft b or secured thereto by the coupling e.
To the shaft b are attached any required number of arms f, provided with suitable
bearings g for the reception of steaming cylinders h. These steaming cylinders h
are hollow, perforated, and of ordinary construction used in the steaming or "black
rolling" process; a steam way or passage i is provided between the hollow part d
of the shaft b and the bearings g on the arms f. A steam tight joint is made in
each arm fatj by means of suitable packing at k, this being kept in position and
steam tight by means of the set screw in the cap m acting thereon through the
medium of a pressing piece n. This pressing piece n is so constructed with openings

page_text: therein to allow of the steam passing through it into the steaming cylinders h in
the direction shewn by arrows. Each steam way is fitted with a stop cock o to
regulate the flow of steam.
Steam, when required, is admitted through the hollow end d of the shaft b, and
thence through the steamways i and bearing g into steaming cylinders h, whence it
passes through the perforations and operates upon the material which has been
proviously placed thereon.
At a convenient point P, and prior to the steaming operation, a rotary motion is
given to each cylinder in its own bearings or axes, such motion being transmitted
thereto from driving pulley 9 through shaft r and spur wheels 8. Each cylinder h
at this point P in its turn has the material rolled onto it. In order to impart the
required degree of tension to the material we pass it upwards in the direction
shewn by arrow t over guide roller u and tension rollers v of ordinary construction,
downwards in the direction shewn by arrow w into trough filled with water, over
guide roller y, in the direction shewn by arrow 2, and over another guide rod or
pulley 1, thence partly round straightening roller 2 and onto steaming cylinder h.
The straightening roller 2 is mounted on the levers 3 carried in brackets 4, adjustable
weight or weights being applied at 5 for the purpose of regulating the pressure of
the straightening roller 2, this being of ordinary construction. When the work is
sufficiently steamed it is taken off the cylinder h at P, over guide roller 6, thence
through cuttling frames, wherby it is folded in the ordinary manner.
The arms f
carrying the steaming cylinders h are moved round by attendant by means of the
crank handle 8, the required motion being transmitted through shaft 9, worm 10,
worm wheel 11, and shaft b.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and described with the
aid of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, we would have it
understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise details or configuration of
the parts we have described and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified
without departing from the nature of our said Invention, but what we do claim
and desire to be secured to us is,—
"
The arrangement, construction, and combination of the various parts of machinery
arranged and applied substantially as herein set forth for that part of the "finishing
of "stuff goods" or other woven fabrics known as the "steaming" and
"black
rolling" process.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Reffitt, for myself and on behalf of
the said James Reffitt and John William Reflitt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-one.
JOSEPH REFFITT. (L.S.)