Improvements in Hot-pressing and Finishing Textile Fabrics.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 22th Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hot-pressing and Finishing Textile Fabrics.
I, THOMAS ILLINGWORTH, of 18, Mill Street, Bradford, Yorkshire, Stuff.and
Cloth Merchant and Finisher, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 improved method and means of hot-pressing and
finishing woollen cloths, worsted cloths and stuffs, mixed stuffs, cotton, linen, silk
and other textile fabrics.
According to the ordinary method of hot-pressing and finishing such fabrics,
they are placed in folds or cuttles-with or without intervening press-papers,
between hollow steam-heated press-plates of an expensive construction or between
removable solid plates heated in ovens, in presses situated in ordinary rooms, the
process being conducted under the ordinary atmospheric temperature and con-
ditions of such rooms at the time being, in consequence whereof there is a constant
radiation from the pile of pressed fabrics of the heat imparted thereto by the press-
plates, resulting in continuous waste thereof and in a very uneven treatment of the
fabrics.
Under such treatment the ends or outer lists and edges of the fabrics, where the
heat is least, are all around for several inches on each fold less highly finished than
are the centre parts of the folds where the heat is greatest; and it is frequently
necessary to refold and repeat the operation to properly finish the raw cuttles and
irregularity of finish of the first treatment, which involves a further waste of heat
and time.
Moreover, the resulting finish is artificial and undurable, and the fabrics are
also liable to be rendered very tender at the end parts in consequence of the direct
contact of such parts with the dry heat of the hot press-plates, and if the fabrics
be coloured the greater heat near the plates strikes the colour a different shade
there to that at the middle of the fabrics.
The objects of the present invention are to dispense with such press-plates and
with such method of hot-pressing, to avoid all the aforesaid disadvantages and
waste, and to ensure an evenness and regularity of finish throughout the fabrics
more permanent than and greatly superior to that obtainable by any existing
system of hot-pressing and finishing in calenders, presses or otherwise, also more
firmly and evenly fixing the dye on the fabric.
In carrying out the invention, I use a steam-proof chamber, and provide the
same with means of initially heating its interior and contents with a dry heat
sufficient in quantity and temperature to prevent condensation of subsequently
admitted steam, and also with means of subsequently heating its interior and
contents with a vaporous heat by steam free from watery particles generated at an
appropriate pressure to supply vaporous heat of the temperature most suitable for
the fabrics under treatment, and also with means of regulating the supply of steam
to and the pressure within the chamber as may be required, and also with means of
exhausting the steam from the chamber to prevent condensation thereof at the end
of the treatment, and also with means of blowing atmospheric or cold air into the
chamber for cooling it if required to be quickly cooled, and also with hermetically
closable means of obtaining access to the chamber; and within the chamber so
adapted I erect any convenient number of hydraulic, screw or other presses the
rams or equivalent parts of which can be operated from the exterior of the
chamber.
The said improved method consists in subjecting the fabrics (after having been

page_text: put into folds or cuttles of convenient size with or without intervening press-
papers according to the class of fabrics under treatment and the style of finish
required) to the combined influences of mechanical pressure in said presses and of
a surrounding vaporous or steam heat ordinarily of about 300, degrees Fahrenheit,
the chamber (while the goods remain subject to such mechanical pressure) being
firstly raised to a dry heat sufficient for the purpose aforesaid by the means
provided for such purpose, and being then (when so heated and while the goods
still remain subject to such pressure) supplied with high-pressure steam by the
means provided for such purpose and kept supplied therewith for as long as may
be required to effect the desired hot-pressing treatment.
i
The fabrics under treatment are thus subjected to a surrounding vaporous or
steam heat operating equally at all sides, and by conduction the whole mass
thereof from the outside folds to the centre becomes evenly heated, whereby the
desired evenness and regularity of finish throughout is ensured.
After the fabrics have been so treated the required time, the supply of steam to
the chamber is shut off.
Thereafter, at the discretion of the attendant and according to the nature of the
fabrics under treatment, the chamber is exhausted of the contained steam to
prevent any condensation thereof and any consequent softening of the fabrics.
Prior to being so exhausted, the heating of the chamber may, however, be con-
tinued by the dry heating apparatus for a time sufficient to ensure the thorough
setting of the fabrics ;-or, subsequently to being so exhausted, the heating of the
chamber may be so continued at a temperature of about 212 degrees Fahrenheit
until the centres of the folds of the pieces of fabric and the outer edges thereof
have become of the same temperature to prevent unevenness of finish in very
highly finished fabrics. Or, the chamber, after being so exhausted, may, without
being so heated, be allowed to gradually cool if the nature of the fabrics renders
this advisable, or, if the nature of the fabrics permits, the chamber may be more
quickly cooled by forcing atmospheric or cold air into it by the means provided
for such purpose.
By exhausting and preventing condensation of the steam contained in the
chamber the fabrics will be comparatively dry though they may have been for a
considerable time under the action of the highly heated vapor. The latent
moisture of the vapor which has penetrated the pressed fabrics will, upon the
subsequent cooling and setting of the fabrics, impart a conditioning quality thereto
of peculiar richness and value.
When the fabrics are cool enough to handle and the finish is sufficiently set by
the combined action of pressure and vaporous heat, they are taken out of the
presses and out of the chamber and are piled down in a suitable place until
thoroughly cool and set. Such cooling and setting conjunctively with the previous
pressing and vapor-heating treatment of the fabric conduce greatly to solidity,
richness of handle and the more durable and permanent finish thereof.
On the accompanying drawings is represented a convenient arrangement of
apparatus suitable for carrying out the aforesaid improved method.
Fig. 1, represents the apparatus partly in front elevation and partly in section.
Fig. 2, represents the same in transverse section.
3, represents a chamber constructed of flanged iron plating covered with any
suitable non-conducting composition 5, and formed with a double or hollow A-roof
which is heated by steam supplied by any suitable connection 6, to prevent con-
densation on its under surface of the steam supplied to the chamber and the falling
therefrom of any drops of water onto the fabrics in the presses.
Within the chamber are arranged series of continuous steam pipes 7, one series
of which is arranged under a light iron grating 8, forming the flooring of the
chamber, and other series of which are arranged vertically at the ends and sides
thereof, the same being provided with an inlet or inlets 9, fitted with a stopcock 10,
and with an outlet 11, connected with a steam-trap 12. Such pipes serve for

page_text: supplying the chamber with the required dry heat for the purposes aforesaid. Or,
hot air may be forced into the chamber for such purposes by the means hereinafter
referred to for forcing in the cold air or by other suitable means.
The chamber is also fitted with a steampipe 13, fitted with one or more flared
inlets 14, for admitting steam from a connected boiler, the pipe being provided
with a stop-cock 15, and being so shaped or provided as to prevent the carrying
over into the chamber of any watery particles.
The inlet or inlets 14, is or are preferably directed downwards so as to distribute
the entering steam evenly throughout the chamber.
The chamber is also fitted with a safety or blow-off valve 16, by means of which
the pressure within can be regulated as required.
The chamber is also provided with an exhaust fan 17, at the one end for
exhausting the steam at the end of the operation as aforesaid, and with a blower 18,
at the other end for forcing atmospheric, cold or hot air into the chamber for the
purposes aforesaid.
The chamber is also formed with one or more doorway-inlets 19, which are
adapted with hermetically closable doors 20, provided with any suitable means 21,
of securely clamping the same in position.
The chamber is also fitted with a thermometer 22, the readings of which are
visible from the outside (say, through a glass panel let into one side or end of the
chamber) and by means of which the temperature of the chamber may be
ascertained.
Within the chamber so adapted, I erect any convenient number of hydraulic,
screw or other presses 23, the rams or equivalent parts 24, of which descend
through the floor 25, of the chamber into wells 26, supported by brickwork 27, or
the like, and are operated in the usual manner by a connected hydraulic pump 28,
of any suitable construction.
The presses are preferably fitted with one or more movable divisioning plates 29,
normally resting on cross bearers 30, supported by the standards 31, of the press,
and which, when in use, serve for the purpose of steadying the pile 32, of pieces
of fabric while the presses are being filled therewith or emptied thereof.
As a further advantage, the cost of pressing and finishing will be materially
reduced by the improved method of treatment, as a supply of steam sufficient for
finishing but a few pieces when serving to heat hollow press-plates placed between
the pieces of fabric in the ordinary hot-pressing operation, will suffice, when
directly applied to the chamber so as to surround the fabrics as aforesaid, for the
better finishing of many times the number of pieces thereof, and moreover, owing
to the intervening press-plates being dispensed with, each press will hold a much
greater number of pieces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1. The herein before described improved method of hot-pressing and finishing
textile fabrics, the same consisting in subjecting the fabrics to the combined
influences of mechanical pressure and of a surrounding steam or vaporous heat
prevented from condensation, whereby the whole mass of fabrics under pressure
will be subjected to the influence of the steam heat equally from all sides and
throughout, and subsequently cooling or allowing the fabrics to cool, as set forth.
2. In apparatus for hot-pressing and finishing textile fabrics, a steam chamber
provided with means for initially heating it with a dry heat, subsequently heating
it with a steam or vaporous heat, regulating the supply of steam to and the pressure
thereof within the same, exhausting the steam from the same, blowing cooling air
thereinto and hermetically closing and obtaining access thereto, and with one or
more hydraulic or other presses the rams of which can be operated from the
exterior, as set forth.

page_text: 3. The arrangement of apparatus for hot-pressing and finishing textile fabrics
herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of March 1893.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.