GB189913433A - An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Treating Fabrics to Render them Waterproof, applicable also to the Treatment of Fabrics to Fix the Dye thereof. - Google Patents

Abstract

13,433. Lake, H. H., [Gestel, J. T. van]. June 28. Waterproof fabrics.-The fab-ic is saturated with a soluble metallic silt, and then subjected to the action of an electric current which causes the deposition of an insoluble metallic oxide among the fibres. A current is preferably passed through the bath in which the fabric is saturated. After leaving this bath, it passes between the metallic aprons 18, 20, which are supported and fed forward by rollers 17, 19. The lower apron passes over bars 14 disposed diagonally on the plate 15 connected with one terminal of the electric circuit. The opposite terminal is connected with the roller 33, which supports the middle of the upper apron. The plates which are hinged together to form the aprons are made of material which conducts well and is not easily oxidizable, such as nickel bronze or aluminium bronze. To remove oxidation, a reverse current is passed between the aprons when the fabric is removed. A trough, containing water, is employed to keep the lower belt clean. In order that the fabric may be equally treated from both sides, it may be passed a second time through the machine, or the machine may be duplicated, the current traversing the two portions in opposite directions. The metallic salt employed for the process deoends on the colour of the fabric to be treated. For white materials salts of zinc may be employed, and for dark goods salts of iron are suitable. In all cases the material employed must be a metallic salt which yields an oxide insoluble in water when subjected to electrolytic action.