US1831630A - Method of saturating double width felt - Google Patents

Description

Nov. l0, 1931. F. B. MANKER 1,831,630

METHOD OF SATURATING DOUBLE WIDTH FELT Filed Jan. 5, 1929 d@ fl.

Patented Nv.1o, 1931 UNrr-D. STATESI PATENT OFFICE PENNSYLVANIA, msxsrefNn. 'ro 'rma Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY METHOD 0F SATUMTI'NG DOUBLE WDTH.' FELT Application led .Tanuary 5,

My invention pertains to the saturation of felt with tar, asphalt, or like materials for the production of building paper, artificial ,tion relates more particularly to shingles, and similar products. My invenan improvement in the saturation process wherebyv a uniform degree of saturation is attained throughoutthewidth of the felt blanket.

.In the usual process a roll of felt is slowly unwound by machinery. The felt passes over drier drums where some of its moisture is removed and is then immersed in or otherwise saturated with the hot impregnating fluid. The saturated felt then passes through squeeze rolls or other mechanisms adapted to impart any desired surface appearance and subsequently the felt is allowed to cool so that the saturant may harden.

Considerable difficulty has been experi enced in the past in securing a uniform saturation of the felt, the greatest diiiiculty occur? ring in the case of the wider blankets. It was found that a layerof excess saturant apeared o'n the surface ofthe blanket, particuarly in the center section. This surface saturant was found to cause excessive scrap and to increase manufacturing hazards. I have now discovered that by steaming the felt, prior to submitting it tothe saturating process, an even degree of saturation may be obtained throughout the width of the felt and the presence of surface saturant may be eliminated.

The fact that the presence of moisture .in the felt tends to retard its saturation is well known and it is for this reason that it is customary totdry the felt blanket to some extent before impregnation. As the result of my experiments I am of the opinion that the difficulty experienced in securing a uniform saturation of the entire width of the felt blanket hasbeen due to the varying moisture content of the felt. This material is ordinarily stored in rolls, and the edges of these( rolls appear. to absorb more moisture than the center portion. Passing the blanket over drier drums prior to impregnation removes some moisture from vthe felt but does not e ualize the moisture content across the width ofthe blanket. As a consequence,

1929. i serial No. amuse. l

of the felt entering the impregnating bath icontain more moisture than the center porion, enough toresult in a saturation of the edges 1t will also cause an over-saturation of the center portion.l

I have now discovered that I may obtain a uniform saturation of the felt, regardless of the blanket width, by producing a uniform moisture content therein prior to saturation. I may accomplish this result by exposing the felt to steam jets so that the total moisture present in the felt is increased, since under these circumstances the variance in the origi. nal moisture content across the width of the felt becomes inconsequential and all sections and if the impregnation iscomplete of the felt offer about the same resistance' to saturation. However, I prefer to vary this procedure, somewhat,"sincethe presence of a large amount of moisture saturation more difficult.

in the felt makes For the reasons indicated I prefer to' dry the felt to some extent -prior tothe steaming treatment so that the amount of moisturere 'quired to be added to. produce a substantial uniformity throughout the widthy of the blanket is reduced. I also prefer to dry the blanket somewhat, after the steam treatment, y

so that .it will not offer unusual resistance to saturation. v

In the appended drawings I have indicated the operation of my ferred form. InV the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional sketch of a suitable apparatus for the ractise of my-invention and Fig. 2 shows a ace view of the drier drum over which 'the felt passes during the steaming process. Like letters of reference are used in the two gures.

In Fig. 1, (A) is a roll of .felt adapted to be unwound in the process. The felt (A) passes over drier drum (B) where its moisture content is somewhat reduced. The felt then travels around drier drum (C) where it-is subjected to a steaming process by means of steam jets (G, G) on steam ipe (H), after which its passes over drier (li'um (D i, where its moisture content is again reduced.

The felt then passes over idler- (I) andenters. the edges saturator (E) which is 'shown diagrammatfy rocess in its pre@ ically. The saturated felt rising from the saturator passes over idler (F) after which it may continue on through squeeze rolls, cooling frames, and the like, which are not shown in the drawings. 2

Fig. 2 represents a face view of the drier drum (C) carrying the felt (A) which is being treated with steam by means of jets (G, G) on steam pipe (H).

In practise I ,prefer to apply the steam at a pressure of about ten pounds or less by means of jets spaced about three inches apart on a steam pipe held in a plane parallel to the surface of the felt, the steam jets themselves being located about three inches from the felt. I have also found it advisable to place a drain on the steam line supplying the jets so that free water may be removed .from-the stem. C

It should be understood that the preferred embodiment of my invention, thus described, is illustrative but not limiting. For example the drying of the felt prior to and subsequent to the steaming treatment may be eliminated without` departing from the spirit of the invention. On the other hand, drier drums'in addition to those shown in the drawings may be used, or in place of the steam heated revolving drums some other drying means may be employed. Also the steam treatment may be confined to the central portion of the fabric so that the moisture content'of this portion is substantially equal to that of the ends of the fabric. While I prefer tov impart the required moisture to the felt by the steaming treatmentdescribed I may, alternatively, add this moisture in the form of a water spray or in any other convenient manner.

Now having described my invention, I claim: l

1. A process for the production of an impregnated felt which comprises heating said .felt to remove a portion of the naturally contained moisture` adding moisture 4to said felt so that the total moisture content thereof is substantially uniform across its width, and submitting said felt to the action of a saturant.

2. A process for the production of an impregnated felt which comprises heating said felt to remove a portion of the naturally contained moisture; adding moisture to said felt so that the total moisture content thereof is substantially uniform across its width, partially drying said felt, and submitting said felt to the action of asaturant.

' In testimony whereof, I have hereunto af.

Xed my signature. K l f FRANK BRADFORDMANKER..

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