Improved Apparatus for Dyeing and Washing Hats and other Articles, Applicable also to Veneering Hats.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 12th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Dyeing and Washing Hats and other
Articles, Applicable also to Veneering Hats.
I, THEOPHILUS WAREHAM of 1664 Mutual Street, Toronto, in the Dominion of
Canada, Hatter's agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists in an improved arrangement or construction of apparatus,
more particularly for dyeing and veneering felt hats but also for washing and
dyeing wool and other materials and goods more especially with colours requiring
exposure to the oxidising action of the atmosphere for their development. In the
ordinary method of dyeing hats, these are first immersed in vats containing the
mordanting or chroming liquor and moved about by means of a pole after which
they have to be treated in a similar manner in other vats containing water to rinse
them. They are then immersed in vats containing the dye liquor and moved about
by poles, and finally taken out and spread about the ground for the colour to become
developed by the oxidising action of the atmosphere. In some cases the dyeing has
to be repeated and finally the hats have to be rinsed, the process involving a
considerable amount of hand labour. The object of my invention is to save this labour
by chroming, rinsing and dyeing and in some cases also veneering the hats in the
same vat and stirring and exposing them to the atmosphere by mechanical means and
power without lifting or removing them from the vat until finally dyed, washed, and
veneered. My improved apparatus consists of one or more machines of special
construction in which the goods are mordanted, rinsed, dyed, washed and veneered,
and other ordinary vats or cisterns for preparing and storing the liquors required for
dyeing. The machine consists of a suitable frame enclosing a vat having a semi-
circular bottom with a perforated cylindrical lining or cage with a space between the
perforated lining and the bottom and sides of the vat, the lining forming more than
half the circumference of a cylinder. The lining may be formed of perforated
sheet metal or of lags or bars attached to circular ribs. A shaft is placed concentric
with the axis of the cylindrical lining and has keyed upon it a series of bosses with
arms cast upon them. The arms may be straight or C shaped, but are preferable
S shaped and carry at their ends cylindrical segments turned on their outsides so as
to pass when rotated close to the perforated lining and leaving openings between each
two cylindrical segments. The arms are covered with perforated sheets, wire
netting, lags or equivalent appliance. The shaft passes through stuffing boxes at the
ends of the vat, and is driven by pulleys and gearing, which may be arranged at
either end, and provided with suitable appliances for reversing the direction of
rotation by preference selfactingly at certain intervals, for instance every two or three
minutes, or the shaft may be rotated and reversed in any other ordinary manner.
The vat is fitted with pipes and connections for placing the same as required into
communication with the storage cisterns and jetometer herein after referred to through
which the vat can be filled with the liquors and emptied of the same.
The vat is
further fitted with a perforated serpentine pipe through which steam can be admitted
for heating the liquors in the vat. A mixing or preparing cistern is arranged by
preference at the end of the vat and provided with steam heating apparatus. The
solutions or infusions of mordants and dyes are prepared in this vat, and admitted
through a cock or valve to the perforated steam heating pipe in the vat, through
which they can be delivered into the vat gradually and evenly distributed while the
machine is working without spotting or irregularly dyeing the goods.
Instead of the cylindrical segments herein before described, a complete drum or

page_text: cage fitted with doors may be carried by the arms. The drum may be made of
perforated sheet metal, wire netting, or bars or lags attached to circular rims.
For the purpose of dyeing, the goods are placed in the spaces between the arms
and cylindrical segments or inside the drum. The vat is then filled with mordanting
or chroming liquor through a pipe from a storage cistern preferably placed at a higher
level. The cistern however may also be at the same or a lower level than the vat
and the liquid forced into the latter by means of a jetometer or pump. When the vat
is filled the shaft is put into motion, whereby the goods are alternately immersed into
the liquid and raised out of it. As they are lifted out of the liquid, they slide or
roll down the arms towards the centre and as the shaft turns farther, they roll again
to the circumference, so that by this, and the periodically recurring reversion of the
direction of rotation they are gently moved about and evenly impregnated with the
liquor. The cylindrical segments moving in close proximity to the perforated lining
prevent the goods from resting on the same or being drawn in between the segments
and lining. The liquor can be strengthened from time to time as required by the
admission of fresh solution from the preparing vat. When the goods are sufficiently
chromed the liquor is reconveyed from the vat to the storage cistern by means of a
jetometer or equivalent apparatus and stored for future use, after which the vat is
charged with water from a second storage cistern and the hats are rinsed. This water
becoming slightly charged with mordants is then returned to the water cistern and
stored for washing after dyeing. The dye liquor is then run into the vat from a third
storage cistern and the hats are alternately immersed in the same and lifted out and
gently moved about in the manner herein before described, so that they are exposed
to the atmosphere and the colours become developed and brightened. As the liquor
becomes weaker it can be strengthened by fresh infusions from the preparing cistern.
The liquor is preferably kept at such a height in the vat that the goods are immersed
for three quarters of each revolution of the shaft and exposed to the atmosphere for
the remaining quarter, but this proportion may be varied to suit different colouring
matters and goods. When the latter are sufficiently dyed, the liquor is returned to
the dye liquor cistern and the water previously used for rinsing after mordanting is
again used for washing out the dyed goods, the mordants contained in it helping to
intensify and brighten the colour and is finally allowed to run off into the drains.
The machine and apparatus herein before described besides being used for
mordanting, dyeing and washing wool, silk, cotton, hats and other articles, can also
be used for vencering hats without removing them from the machine.
Dated this 9th day of October 1888.
EMMOTT & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Dyeing and Washing Hats and other
Articles, Applicable also to Veneering Hats.
I SAMUEL WAREHAM of 13 Zetland Terrace, Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of
Lancaster, Hat Manufacturer, 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 and accompanying drawings:-
My Invention consists in an improved arrangement or construction of apparatus
more particularly applicable for dyeing and veneering felt hats but also for washing
and dyeing wool and other materials and goods more especially with colours requiring
exposure to the oxidising action of the atmosphere for their development. In the
ordinary method of dyeing hats these are first immersed in vats containing the
mordanting or chroming liquor and moved about by means of a pole, after which
they have to bo treated in a similar manner in other vats containing water to rinse
them. They are then immersed in vats containing the dye liquor and moved about
by poles, and finally taken out and spread about the ground for the colour to become

page_text: developed by the oxidising action of the atmosphere. In some cases the dyeing has
to be repeated and finally the hats have to be rinsed, the process involving a
considerable amount of hand labour. The object of my invention is to save this
labour by chroming. rinsing and dyeing, and in some cases also veneering the hats in
the same vats and stirring and exposing them to the atmosphere by mechanical means
and power without lifting or removing them from the vat until finally dyed, washed
and veneered. My improved apparatus consists of machinery of special construction
in which the goods are mordanted, rinsed, dyed, washed, and veneered and for
preparing and storing the liquors required for dyeing. The machine consists of a
suitable casing or vat having a semi-circular bottom. A shaft is placed concentrically
with the axis of the casing or vat and has keyed upon it a series of bosses with armis
cast upon them. The arms may be straight or C shaped but are preferably S shaped and
carry at their ends cylindrical segments turned on their outside so as to pass when
rotated close to the bottom of the vat. Opposite the turned segments the arms carry
perforated sheets, wire netting, lags, tubes or equivalent permeable appliances. The
shaft is driven by pulleys and gearing or in any other suitable manner. The vat is
fitted with pipes and connections for placing the same as required into communication
with the storage cisterns and elevators hereinafter referred to through which the vat
can be filled with the liquors and emptied when desired. Heating pipes are also
provided. A mixing or preparing cistern is arranged by preference at the end of the
vat and provided with steam heating apparatus. The solution or infusions of mordants
and dyes are prepared in this vat and admitted through a cock or valve to a perforated
pipe in the bottom of the vat, through which they can be delivered into the vat
gradually and evenly distributed while the machine is working without spotting or
irregularly dyeing the goods. Instead of the cylindrical segments herein before
described a complete drum or cage fitted with doors may be carried by the armis.
The drum may be made of perforated sheet metal, wire netting or bars or lays attached
to circular rims. In the operation of dyeing, the goods are placed in the spaces
between the arms and cylindrical segments or inside the drum. The vat is then filled
with mordanting or chroming liquor through a pipe from a storage cistern preferably
placed at a higher level. The cistern however may also be at the same or a lower
level than the vat and the liquid forced into the latter by means of an elevator or
pump. When the vat is filled and the liquid heated so as to soften the goods and
render them more pliable the shaft is put into motion, whereby the goods are
alternately immersed into the liquid and raised out of it. As they are lifted out of the
liquid, they slide or roll down the arms toward the centre and as the shaft turns
farther they roll again to the circumference, so that by this means they are gently
moved about and evenly impregnated with the liquor and at the same time oxygenated
by exposure to the atmosphere. The cylindrical segments moving in close proximity
to the bottom of the vat prevent the goods from resting on the same or being drawn
in between the segments and lining. The liquor can be strengthened from time to
time as required by the admission of fresh solution from the preparing cistern. When
the goods are sufficiently chromed, the liquor is re-conveyed from the vat to the
storage cistern by means of an elevator or equivalent apparatus and stored for future
use after which the vat is charged with water from a second storage cistern and the
hats are rinsed. This water only slightly charged with mordants is then returned to
the water cistern and stored for washing after dyeing. The dye liquor is then run
into the vat from a third storage cistern and the hats are alternately immersed in the
same and lifted out and gently moved about in the manner hereinbefore described so
that they are exposed to the atmosphere and the colours become developed and
brightened. As the liquor becomes weaker, it can be strengthened by fresh infusions
from the preparing cistern. The liquor is preferably kept at such a height in the
vat that the goods are immersed for about three quarters of each revolution of the
shaft and exposed to the atmosphere for the remaining quarter, but this proportion
may be varied to suit different colouring matters and goods. When the latter are
sufficiently dyed, the liquor is returned to the dye liquor cistern and the water.
previously used for rinsing after mordanting is again used for washing out the

page_text: dyed goods, the mordants contained in it helping io intensify and brighten the
colour, and is finally allowed to run off into the drains. The machine and apparatus
hereinbefore described besides being used for mordanting, dyeing and washing wool,
silk, cotton, tops, bobbins, hanks, cloths, hats and other articles can also he used for
veneering hats without removing them from the machine.
To render my invention more clear I will now proceed to describe the same with
reference to the annexed sheet of drawings:
Fig. I is a vertical longitudinal section of the improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a
vertical cross section. Fig. 3 is an outside end elevation. Fig. 4 is a front view.
The apparatus is composed of a vat consisting of a semi-circular bottom a bolted to
two end frames b. b which are formed with feet to rest on the floor or foundation.
At the bottom of the vat I form a chamber c running the full length of the vat as
shown in Fig. 2 the said chamber being covered by a perforated top and occupied by
by two pipes the uses of which will be hereafter explained. Within the vat a a
cylindrical cage d is mounted concentrically to revolve on trunnions e projecting from
brackets which are bolted to the end frames b. 6. These trunnions fit the bored ends
of the hollow shaft The shaft
9.
9 carries at each end a disc h. h¹ and is made in two
parts as shown preferably so as to permit of the fitting on of a central boss with four
arms of an S form as indicated in Fig. 1 which arms carry segmental tops j
which are utilised to support the tubes, bars, wirework or other pervious material
partly forming the periphery of the cylinder. In the present instance this pervious
periphery is composed of tubes which extend between the two end discs . and
also engage with the segmental tops carried by the S arms i. The tubes are not
.
placed continuously round the cage d but are interrupted by four gaps which are
intended to admit of the goods being placed within the cage d and removed therefrom.
The cage d is rotated in the direction of the arrow and in front of the sets of tubes &
I place fence boards or doctors m which are intended to act as a safeguard against the
goods being jammed between the tubes and the bottom of the vat. The rotation of
the cage d is effected from a driving belt which runs on the fast and loose pullies n. n¹
and when engaged with the fast pulley rotates the shaft o and toothed pinion p
which engages with the internally toothed ring cast on the end and so rotates
the cage. The cage is divided into four compartments by four diaphragms consisting
of tubes or bars which extend between the ends these diaphragms following
the S curve of the arms of the central boss. When the goods have been placed
in the compartments of the cage and the cage is revolved, the S shaped pervious
diaphragms present a continually varying path to the goods which are rolled and
agitated by the action of the diaphragms in a manner which produces the effect only
obtained by hand labour. The arrangements of piping and means for introducing,
heating, changing and withdrawing the liquid in the vat a are as follows: It will be
understood that the vats containing the dyeing, mordanting, rinsing and other liquids
are situated in any suitable position relatively to the apparatus and are connected
to the apparatus by means of pipes. The vat a in the first instance is or may be
filled by means of a pipe r leading from a vat containing for example chrome liquid.
Steam for heating and forcing purposes is brought along the pipes and by opening
the valve steam is admitted through the pipe to the perforated pipe in the centre
of the chamber at the bottom of the vat a. The liquid admitted to the vat a is
thus heated to any required degree. At the side of the vat a and supported from
the end 6 by brackets w is a small cistern which I use as a means for mixing and
preparing agents for modifying the nature of the liquid in the vat a and for adding
new constituents thereto. For example if it should be wished to add mordants to
the dye in the vat these may be placed in the cistern and dissolved therein the
requisite heat being obtained by blowing steam from the pipes through the perforated
pipe y which is situated within the cistern c. A valve governs the steam supply
to the pipe y. The cisterna is connected by the pipe 1 to the perforated pipe 2 which
lies alongside of the perforated pipe in the chamber c. An injector 3 placed on
the pipe 1 and a valve 4 (see Fig. 4) connects the steam pipes to the ejector on the
A valve 5 connects the ejector to the bottom of the cistern so that the
-pipe 1.
C

page_text: cistern can be cut entirely off from the steam pipe and injector. When it is desired
to force the solutions or agents in the cisterna into the vat a the valves 4 and 5 are
opened and the steam blowing through the injector 3 draws the solution from the
cisterna and forces it through the pipe 1 to the perforated pipe 2 in the chamber c
from whence it rises through the perforated top of the chamber and becomes mixed
with the contents of the vat a. The same pipe and injector may be utilised when the
cisternis empty to draw cold air and force it into the bottom of the vat and thus
cool the contents. 1 also arrange a pipe 6 on each side of the machine to circulate
the liquid in the vat a. These pipes 6 are connected to each end of the chamber c
and also carrying injectors or elevators 7 situated about opposite to the steam pipe
(a branch from which is brought opposite to the end 6) and connected to the pipes 6
by valves (see Fig. 2) which supply steam to the injectors. The pipes 6 are
connected to perforated delivery pipes 9 inside each end frame, so that the liquid
when raised from the bottom of the vat is discharged into the upper part of the vat
through these perforated pipes 9. The use of the perforated pipe 9 causes a more
equable delivery of the liquid. I also provide means for removing the liquid in the
vat back to the storage tank or tanks from which the liquid was originally drawn.
This I effect by the pipe 10 which is led from the side of the chamber c and upward
towards the storage tank. The pipe 10 has an elevator or injector 11 supplied with
steam from the steam pipe 3 the supply being governed by a valve which does not
appear in the drawings but which is similar to the valves already shown. The end of
the pipe 10 which delivers into the storage tanks may be pivotted so as to deliver into
any one of a series of storage tanks. On the opposite side of the chamber c I provide
a waste pipe 12 which I use in cases where it is desired to allow the contents of the
vat a to run to waste. By the hereinbefore described arrangements of piping I
provide for the filling of the vat a the heating, the addition of agents to the dyeing
or other liquids the circulation of the same and for their removal, storage or running
to waste at the pleasure of the operator. As has been already said when the machine
is in operation the goods are placed inside of the compartments of the cage through
the spaces and the liquid in the vat a having been properly heated the cage is
revolved the goods being raised out of the liquid, rolled on the S shaped diaphragms A
becoming at the same time oxygenised by contact with the atmosphere and again
submerged the process being continued until the goods have been sufficiently treated.
The vat a can be emptied when desired, and mordanting or rincing liquid run in
without removing the goods from the cage. The goods can thus be subjected to
treatment by different liquids without the necessity for the frequent changes and
handling which the goods undergo when dyed and treated in the ordinary manner.
When the apparatus is used for veneering hats the hat bodies and the fur are placed
in the cage and the revolution of the cage and consequent rolling action of the
immersed bodies causes the fur to adhere thereto as in the case where mechanical
agitation is imparted to hat bodies and fur in a bath.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
(1) The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
apparatus for dyeing, washing, and veneering substantially as described and shown.
(2) In an apparatus for carrying on uninterruptedly the processes of dyeing,
mordanting and washing or otherwise treating hats and other articles and materials
the revolving cage or cylinder having several pervious compartments divided by
S-shaped, curved or straight partitions and revolving in a tank or vat having a semi-
circular bottom the periphery of the cylinder being made pervious and having spaces
or gaps through which the goods are introduced and withdrawn substantially as
described and shown.
(3) In an apparatus of the indicated nature the cylinder or cage revolving in
a vat or tank, in combination with the anxilliary mixing cistern and agitator and the

page_text: arrangements of steam tubing and tubing for the supply and withdrawal of liquids,
all arranged and acting substantially as described and shown.
(4). In the indicated apparatus the chamber at the bottom of the tank containing
the pipes for the supply and withdrawal of liquids, and for boiling, circulating and
agitating the contents of the tank substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 10th day of August 1889.
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, St. James Square, Manchester, Agents.