US2690118A - Design dyeing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept 28 1954 s. a. scHwAR-rz E-rAL 2,690,118

DESIGN DYEING APPARATUS Filed Jan. l5, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 2 1 39l 114 7e 1 l- 77 6 95 1 39 ,3 1 I /11 98 113 04 j). 3a 1413?* 35 07113 107 11 ,.1 1 ,m9 4 141 104 98 0.111 AO 11] H4 HO 1` 95 I n c. n 105 y 99 1.103 "bq 1 59 98 1, 1f-148 11 96 "1 95 24 5 '3,1134 @13316 5 'O5 104 .147 Y- 141%3 114 HO 104 113 f 7 13 4;; ,52 113 107 151 @H 107 9 v O V\ H4 7 f ,1 77 9a 133 w 9e 134 135 131723 95 98 "7N HO IWW-.1 113 1,1; 2f M .,111 88 87 21H11 MW? MI 1 8a 86 im illlmhl'mm 86 INVENTORS S. B. SCHWARTZ BY JOSEPH MULLER sa W E 'ATTORNEY Sept. 28, 1954 s. B. SCHWARTZ ETAL 2,690,118

DESIGN DYEING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1952 FIG. 4

. -IIIIIIIIIIII r.

l. NIW y INVENTORS. S. B. SCHWARTZ JOSEPH MULLER ATTORNEY Sept- 28 1954 s. B. SCHWARTZ Erm. 2,690,118

DESIGN DYEING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 15, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 4@mfr-gmaillill Juni..

INVENToRs. 5. SCHWARTZ BY J PH MULLER ATTORNEY Sept 28, 1954 s. s. SCHWARTZ ETAL 2,690,118

DESIGN DYEING APPARATUS FIG. 8

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS S. B. SCHWARTZ JOSEPH MULLER 1 7 gwo 157 Filed Jan. 15, 1952 AT TO RNEY Patented Sept. 28, 1954 DESIGN DYEING APPARATUS Shepard B. Schwartz an ville, Tenn., assignors Nashville, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Application January 15, 1952, Serial No. 266,612

Claims. l

This invention. relates to ornamentation and more particularly to. design dyeing and apparatus for accomplishing the same.

Onespecic use ofthe invention is the application of a single or multi-colored design for purposes of ornamentation to finished or fabricatedgtextiles such as. for example, to hosiery or thelike. The method doesnot pertain to woven piece goods which. is printed continuously by such means as roller printing with intaglio cylinders.

ornamentation has been accomplished in many ways including the printing of designs on` piece goodsy andVv on some finished articles suclr as blouses, T shirts, overalls and; the flike', however thistype of ornamentation has either been very limited as to color and durabilityor has required the useof much skilled labor in the productionC thereof. In.- other Words the.. use of a plurality o1" colors ina design offeredA substantialproblemsk asffor example a multi-colored design where the colors were applied. singly they were diii'icult to.V

apply in proper relation or registration.

Hosiery has also been heretofore produced with', designswhich have been knitted into the hoisery; This is a very costly process requiring the use ofv special colored yarns in knitting and requiring special machinery. The designs possible by this method areextremely limited due to the inherent limitations of knitting machines. Intricate and sharp designs are not possible by this method.

Further the design has not been-.permanent whenr applied by va thermoplastic. or thermosetting transfer which is inexpensive. Also the application of a design to nished or fabricated articles of textile apparelhas not been adapted to lovirv cost quantity production .being accomplished by manual operations using the screen process or they like. The roller printing process utilizing the same types of dyes or printing pastes as utilized in the invention of this application is not adaptable to. nished oriabricatedA articles of` textile apparel such asr hosiery. Initial cost of machinery-andv engraving of intaglio cylinders precludes utilization of that process for fabricated textiles such as hosiery Where yardage is small compared to that normally run on: one design of piecegoods. Also the roller process has not been adapted mechanically for the printing of fabricated articles such as hosiery but is utilizedA exclusively for the-printing of piece goods in continuous' flat form.

The apparatus of this invention has beeny specifically created for. application of a single or multi-colored design to hosiery. It is desirable that the application of'designs to articles such as d Joseph Muller, Nashyto May Hosiery Mills,

socks be accomplished rapidly and inexpensively in order that these articles may be sold at a comparatively low price in the present highly competitive market where competition is keen thereby precluding the manual application of such designs.

The process utilized with the apparatus of this invention is a true dyeing process in that the dye is applied to the fabric and allowed to penetrate and completely color the fibers therein. An aqueous solution of a textile coloring component such as a vat dye may be incorporated in the printing paste or a pigmented oil in water, or water in oil two phase emulsion with resin binder may be utilized. These printing pastes are well known to those skilled in the art of textile printing. Consequently the resulting product is cornpletely Washfast and the design will retain substantially its original brilliance and character throughout the life of the fabric.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus for design dyeing in Which any desired design in asingle or multiplicity of colors may be easily applied to socks.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for design dyeing in which any desired design may be applied to one or both sides of the socks.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for design dyeing of articles particularly hosiery and utilizing iiexible fine mesh screening, the design portion of which is open and the remaining portion covered with a material impervious to the printing paste and through which design portion the dye or color paste is applied to the article.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a design dyeing apparatus for printing any desired design on fabric articles such as socks which is entirely automatic in operation and which only requires the application and removal of the socks and which may be controlled by the operation of a single foot operated switch.

A further object of the invention is the provision. of a design dyeing apparatus for printing a multi-colored design on fabric articles such as socks and in which means is provided for accurately registering each color of the design with respect to the other colors.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for design dyeing in which means is provided for properly initially positioning the articles relative to the apparatus where-by the design will be properly located on the article.

A still further object of the invention is the provision o a design dyeing apparatus which may be economically manufactured from readily available materials with the use of little skilled labor and one which will not be susceptible to frequent breakdowns and consequent high maintenance cost.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a design dyeing apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2, a plan view of the design dyeing apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a fragmentary elevational view with parts in section for greater clarity and showing the movable table in intermediate position;

Fig. 4, a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the movable table in uppermost p "inting position;

Fig. 5, a view taken at right angles to Figs, 3 and 4 and showing the movable table in lowermost position;

Fig. 6, a fragmentary detail plan view with parts in section for greater clarity and showing the mounting means for the sock supporting boards.

Fig. 7, a sectional 'l-l of Fig. 6;

Fig, 8, a fragmentary elevational view showing the means for turning the sock supporting boards from an intermediate position to operative printing position;

Fig. 9, an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the screen printing mechanism;

Fig. 10, a perspective view of the squeegee used in conjunction with the mechanism of Fig. 9;

Fig. l1, a sectional view showing the structure of the squeegee shown in Fig. l;

Fig. l2, a fragmentary elevational view showing the position of one or the gate members as the squeegee nears one end of its stroke;

Fig. 13, a view similar' to Fig. 12 but showing the position of the gate member as the squeegee commences its return stroke;

Fig. la, a view in perspective showing the sock holding board with a sock in place thereon and upon which sock a design has been printed;

Fig. l5, an elevational view or a sock upon which the first color or a design has been printed;

Fig. 16, a view similar to Fig. l5 but showing the complete 'lull color design; and

Fig, 17, a schematic diagram of the control circuit for the apparatus or this invention.

With continued reference to the drawing the design dyeing apparatus oi this invention is supported upon a pedestal type base l@ from which there extends upwardly a hollow column H. Column il serves to slideably receive a tubular member i?. which in turn supports a table i3, table i3 being mounted for rotation upon the tubular member i2 and moving upwardly and downwardly therewith. Disposed within the tubular member i2 is a supporting member Hl which may be either tubular or solid, member iii serving to support an upper plate i5 upon which a portion of the apparatus is carried. The particular details of plate it and the associated apparatus carried thereby will be later described..

Extending radially from the outer circumference of table i3 and supported thereby are a plurality of boards it, each of these boards serving to receive and support a sock or another article to be printed. Board it may be formed detail View taken on the line of metal, wood or any other suitable material and as best shown in Figs. 6 and '7 these boards are supported for rotation about their longitudinal axis in the table i3. For this purpose boards i6 are provided at their inner ends with a stub shaft il which may be secured to the board by welding or by any other suitable means, shaft il serving to receive the inner races i8 and i9 oi anti-friction bearings 'it and 2i, the outer races of which 22 and 23 are snugly received in a bore 2li in the edge of table i3. The inner end of shaft ll is threaded as at 25 and serves to receive a nut 2S which clamps the shaft il in position and retains the boards It on the table it. Threaded extension 25 and nut t@ may be received in a counterbore 2l which forms an extension of the bore 2A. in the table i3.

Since it is necessary during operation that the boards I6 occupy one printing position and a position removed therefrom during the next printing operation, mechanism is provided to maintain the boards in these two positions which mechanism may conveniently comprise a collar 28 secured to the stub shaft i1 between the anti-friction bearings 20 and 2l by a key 29 or other suitable securing means, collar 28 being provided with diametrically disposed notches 30 which serve to receive the beveled end 3l of a detent 32 slidably mounted in a cylinder 33 which may be secured to the table I3 by any suitable means such as screw threads, welding or the like.

As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. l there is one cylinder 33 for each board It and these cylinders extend slightly below the table 13. Disposed within each cylinder 33 is a compression spring 34 which at one end engages the inner end 35 of cylinder 33 and at the opposite end engages a washer 36 nxed to the detent 32. Detent 32 may be conveniently guided by an elongated rod which extends through an aperture 3S in the lower end of cylinder 33. It will thus be seen that by means of this detent mechanism each board It is releasably held` in positions 180 removed from each other and the mechanism for moving the boards from one position to another will be later described.

The boards I6 may be shaped as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 14 or they may be formed in any other desired manner to accommodate the particular articles to be printed but in the present instance where socks are being printed the formation shown has proven most satisfactory.

In order to facilitate positioning the socks or other articles on the board I6 a strip or bar 39 of contrasting color or other distinguishing mark may be provided which serve as a gage or guide to position the sock thereon, it only being necessary to locate the sock with one edge of the cui contacting the bar or strip 39 in order to insure that the printing impression will be made at the proper place on the sock.

Mechanism is provided to raise and lower the table i3 carried by the tubular member l2 and this mechanism may well comprise an air or hydraulic cylinder Il@ pivotally mounted at 4i on a boss 42 extending from the side of the pedestal base lil. While a cylinder lil is shown as being utilized to raise and lower the table i3 other suitable means for this purpose may of course be employed. Cylinder 4i) is provided with a piston to which is attached a piston rod 43 extending upwardly and pivotally connected at 44 to a lever 45 pivotally mounted at 6 on a bracket 4l secured to a boss #la extending from tion. As will be the. upper edge of pedestal. base I 0.' Lever 45 terminates at its inner end; ina yoke-49;"intheends. of which are disposed slots: 50i.: Slots` 505i moved upwardly or downwardly to. raise and` lowerfthe table I 3` and boardslv carried'lthereby. Cylinder .4u is supplied withv air orother -suit-l ablesmotive fluid through a conduit 52 andI inlet' solenoidvalves 53and 54. Valve 53 controls the supply of fluid through a conduit 55ifto one end of` the cylinder 40' the supply of fluid to. the opposite end offcylinder 40'. haust .of' uid from the cylinder- 40. is controlled by-.a solenoid valve '1 throughy the conduit `55 andl asolenoid valve 58.I through the conduit 56.' Also mounted on the cylinder 40 or other convenient place is a limit switch 59 from which` extends a rod 60 having an elongated slot 6I therein, therebeing an arm 62 into the slot6I and inlet valve 54 controls through another conduit 56` seen from an inspection of Fig. 1 uponmovement of the piston rod-'43v` downwardly the tubular member I2 and table I3 carried thereby will be raised andthe arm- 62 will move downwardly in the slot v6I until it contacts the end thereof at which timothe limitswitch 59y Willbe actuated. Upon reverse movement ofthe piston rodk 43 the` tubular member I2 andtable I 3fw'ill` move downwardly and` thearm 52 will move upwardly inthe slot 6I untilv it contacts the'upper end thereof yat which timethe `limit switch 59 tion.

Sincerit is necessary that duringy eachl up anddown movement of the table I3 that the same rotatea distance equal to that between adjacent boards I6 mechanism is provided for accomplishing this rotation including a series of annularly arranged downwardly depending teeth 63 which may-be formed as a ring 64 securedtothelowersurface of the upper plate I5. The lower'ends of Ateethv 63- as best shownI in Figs. 1, 3, 4 land 5 arevbeveled as'at 65 for a purpose-to be presently described. A single toothA 66` is secured to the upper surface of table I3 and projects upwardly therefrom, the upper endV of tooth being beveled'. as shown at 61. The anglefof beveltil-v is substantially the-same as'that o-fbevel 65 onthe downwardly depending teeth yS3. Bevel surfaces 65 and El cooperate in the nature -of cams `and as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the` table is in one rotary position and as the table I3^moves upwardly thesurfacer'l on tooth @t engages the bevel surface E5 on thecorresponding downwardly depending tooth 63 and continued upward movement of the table I3'results in. rotation of the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 or inthe direction of the arrow 68as shown in Fig. 3. Rotation of thetable I3 in this direction will continue until theleading edge 590i tooth 66 contracts the edge lil of tooth 63 at which time as shown in Fig. 4 tooth 66, will pass into the space between adjacent teeth 63 andlsecurely lockV the table I3 in position against further rotation. It is in this position that each printing operation is accomplished and, such printing operation will be later described..

Since it is obvious` that if the table I3. merely moves-downwardly fromvthe position shown in will be actuated' in thev reverse direc- The exwhich exhausts iluid secured to the piston rod 43 and extendingv to provide a lost motion connec.

Fig. Lland then is moved upwardly again the` tooth 166 would merely move into the space between the adjacent teeth` 63 which it formerly I I` and for this. purpose there are provided on the lower side of table downwardly depending are provided. with beveled their lower ends. intended to cooperate with. a xed upwardly ex-V tending ytooth; 'i3 supported upon the upper end of-column II in a boss 'Id extending therefrom,- tooth4 i3 having a beveled cam surface 15: for cooperatingwith the Cain surfaces 'i2 on down-` wardly depending teeth 1I..

Aswill be seen from .an inspection ofFig. 5 upon. movement of the table I 3v to lowermost position the bevel cam surface l2 on one of the downwardly depending teeth 'II contacts the cam surface 15 on fixed upwardly extending tooth 'I3 which upon continued downward movement of the table I 3` results in rotation thereof in the direction of the arrow 't8 as shown in-Figs. 3 vlldil or in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig..2..; The table I3 will remain inA this position until it again moves upward-at which time teethi 5.3 .and 66' cooperate to complete the rotationat movement thereof. It will thus be. seen that this rrotational mechanism requires very few adv ditional parts.. and results entirely from theA upward; and downward movement ofthe table I3 which inr any event is necessary for completingl the` printingv operations and consequently this mechanism utilizes a necessary movement of the apparatus which results in a very eiiicient operation thereof.

As stated. above it is necessary to rotate the boards. It about: their longitudinal axes duringrotation'al movement of the table I3 and for accomplishing this operation each shaft I1 which supports a board IS is providedfadjacent the. outerv edge of the table I3 with a collar 1.6 having diametrically disposed notches 17in the. outer edge thereof. Notches 'il are intended; to. .cooperate with an upwardly extending tooth 18a-which.' is supported upon a bar 'I9 secured to. thencolumnv II. As will be seen from an inspectionofA Fig. 1 upon downward movement of the table I 3 the upper beveled edge S@ of tooth T8. engagcsin a. notch "il of the collar l5 and partially yrotates the shaft .I 'i' and board I6 carried: thereby .to movethe beveled. end 3| of detent` 32* out of engagement with the notch te inv collar 28 carried by the shaft Il. This. results in posi-y tioning the board I6 substantially in the position shownin Fig. 1 immediately to the left ofthe center. of the gure. The movement of board I6 to a position 180 from that rstoccupied is completed by engagement of the board with a track 8i; supported upon a bracket 32. As best shown in Fig. 8 `track lI comprises a horizontal portion 831and a curved leading end 814. It is to be noted that the track 8i is located slightly below'the center line of shaftl Il which carries board- I6 and as the table I3 rotates the curved leading en dvd will contact the lower portion ofA the board It which has been partially rotated by action of the tooth 'it `and as the table I3 continues to rotate the board I5 will movev upwardly over the inclined surface of end 84. of track BI and will engage the horizontal surface 831at whichY time the board Iii will occupy` a cam surfaces 'I2 on These. cam surfaces l2. are

position 180 from that formerly occupied. The purpose of this rotation of the board in connection with the printing operation will presently appear.

Bracket 82 is supported from spaced substantially parallel bars 85 which extend across the apparatus on each side of the column II and these bars 85 are provided with downwardly extending guide rods 86 which are slideably received in guides 8l supported by bars 88 which extend across the machine and are secured to the column by welding or the like. Bars 88 may be reinforced by angle irons 89 also secured to the column I and bars 98 by welding or other suitable means. In order that bars 85 will move upwardly and downwardly with the table I2, they are provided with downwardly depending link members 90 provided at their lower ends with apertures for receiving pins 5| which are moved upwardly and downwardly by the yoke 49. Located adjacent the outer ends of bars 85 are upwardly extending rods 9| which serve to support shoes 92 these shoes being disposed directly beneath the boards l5 and serving to prevent undue deflection of such boards during the printing operation. As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1 the ends 93 of the shoes 92 are curved in order to prevent interference of the boards I therewith during rotary motion of the table I3 and boards IE. If desired the bars S8 may be further supported by diagonal braces 94 secured thereto and to the column |I.

Plate serves to support the inner ends of dye applying means 95 and plate I5 likewise carries cylinders 05 and Si which supply power for operating the dye applying means in a manner to be presently described. As best shown in Figs. l, 2 and 9, the dye applying means 95 may conveniently take the form of a rectangular frame or box 98 the bottom opening of which is closed by a ne mesh screen 90 carried by a rectangular frame |00 which may be provided with apertures IOI for receiving screw-threaded or other suitable fastening means to secure the frame |00 and screen 99 carried thereby to the rectangular frame or box 93. Screen Q9 may be formed of silk or steel wire, but obviously any other suitable material may be employed. This screen must have sufficient tensile strength and resistance to wear to aiford long life, but must also possess suflicient flexibility to conform to irregularities in the surface of the fabric material to which a design is to be applied. The inner surface of screen 99 is coated with a material impervious to the dye being used except for a portion representing the outline of the desired design as indicated at |i2 in Fig. 9.

Box 98 of the dye applying means 95 is provided at one end with brackets |03 which are secured to the plate I5 and the opposite end of the box 98 is provided with a boss |04 which is designed to be supported upon an angle bar |05 which as shown in Fig. 1 is supported by upstanding bracket members |06 which are secured to crossbars 88. Box 98 may be clamped in operative position by a clamping arm |01' pivotly mounted at i on a bracket |09 secured to the angle bar |05. Clamping arm |01 may be provided with adjusting means in the form of a bolt I I0 which extends therethrough and contacts the boss |04, movement of the bolt ||0 upwardly or downwardly determining the clamping pressure exerted on the boss |04. Means for operating the clamping arm icl is provided in the form of a handlever I I I pivoted at I I2 on the bracket |09,

' the lever I II being connected by a link ||3 to the outer end of the clamping arm |01. This mechanism provides a toggle arrangement whereby upon movement of the hand lever III to the position shown in Fig. 1 the bolt ||0 will engage the boss |04 to clamp the box 9B in position, and upon movement of hand lever III outwardly, away from the apparatus, the clamping arm |01 will pivot about the pivot point |08 and raise the bolt ||0 away from the boss |04 and permit removal of the box 98 in order to clean the same or to replace the screen 99 with another screen carrying a different design.

For the purpose of forcing paste through the design portions |02 of the screen 99 each dye applying or printing means 95 is provided with a squeegee III-I which as best shown in Figs. 10 and 11 comprises a rectangular block ||5 which is provided in the lower edge thereof with a groove IIS in which is slideably disposed a blade I|'| which may be formed of rubber or other suitable iiexible material. Blade IIl may be reinforced by a backing of metal or other suitable material H8. As shown in Fig. 11 guide rods IIS are attached to the reinforcing backing IIS and these rods IIs extend upwardly through bores |20 in the rectangular block II'5. Bores |20 extend upwardly through bosses |2| which project from the upper surface of the block I I5, bores |29 being closed at the upper end thereof except for apertures to permit passage of the guide rods H9. Disposed about the guide rods ||9 within the bores |20 are compression springs |22, the upper end of which engages the upper surface of the ends of bores |20 and urge the squeegee ||1 carried by the reinforcing backing IIB downwardly. Downward movement of the squeegee I I1 is adjusted by nuts or other suitable means |23 received on the upper ends of guide rods |I9.

An actuating bar |24 extends from one side of the block ||5 and from each edge of the block I|5 there extend guide pins |25. Guide pins |25 are adapted to be received in grooves |25 formed in the opposed faces of the side walls |21 of box 98. Grooves |25 as best shown in Figs. 9, 12, and 13 terminate at each end in enlarged recesses |28 and in each of these recesses there is pivotally mounted a gate member |29. Gate member |29 is normally urged into the position shown in Figs. 9 and l2 by a tension spring |30 connected to a pin I3| secured to each gate member 29 and projecting through an arcuate slot |32 in the side walls |21 of the box 98.

In the operation of the printing mechanism dye or printing paste is applied to the inner surface of the screen and as the squeegee ll moves back and forth over the screen, such paste or dye is forced through the design |02 in the screen iig and imprints such design on the sock or other article disposed therebeneath. Obviously in this operation, if the squeegee I ll merely moved back and forth over the screen 99 the paste or ink would in a very short time become concentrated at each of the screen 00, and there would not be a sufiicient quantity to provide a proper impression of the design |02. It is for this reason that the gate members |29 are provided, and as best shown in Figs. 12 and 13, these gate members operate to raise the squeegee IIi at each end of its stroke in order to pass over and move the ink or paste accumulated at that end of the screen 99 back across the screen in order to insure that there will always be a sufficient quantity to provide a proper impression of the design |02.

dye or printing .more .than two colors.

9 lAs-shownl inFig. .12, the'squeegee '|14 is approaching the right-hand fend of its extreme movement and in thiscposition the 'guidepins |25 ride upwardlyv over'the'- gate member |29 and through-the recess |28 thisaction raising the squeegee II4-so that the blade |1 passes over the accumulated dye or printing paste at that end of the screen 99. Further movement of the `squeegee I4 allows the pins |25 to pass downwardly within the recess |28 so that the blade |1`reengages .the screen 99 to the rear 0f the accumulatedprinting paste or dye and movement inthe opposite directi'on moves such paste or dye-overthe surface of the screen resulting in a proper impression of the design |02. Duringsuch `return movement `the pins |25 for-ce the gate membersv |29 upwardly about their pivot points and against -the .action of springs |36 as shown'in Fig. 13,rv and as lsoon as pins |25 havemoved out of engagementwith the lgate members |29 they will return to the position shown in Fig. 12 by reason .of the action of tension springs I 36.

It will thus be seen that by .the above described mechanism there has been providedmeans whereby the entire quantity of printing paste or dye which is applied to the upper surface of screen 99 willbe utilized without vaccumulating unused portions thereof at each end of the screen, and this operation will continue until all of such printing paste has been utilized or until it is .necessary to replenish rthe. supply thereof.

As best shown in Figs. land 2` the squeegee I4 may be conveniently operated by uid pressure cylinders 96 and 91, these cylinders being supported in angular relation to .each other. upon a .bracket |33 extending upwardly from the plate vv|5. Cylinder 95 is provided with a piston rod |34 extendingtherethrough, this .piston rod being connected at each end throughlinks |35 with .squeegees I|4 located in diametrically disposed boxes 98. Similarly cylinder 91 is provided with a piston rod |36 extending therethrough, this piston rod being connected by links '|31 with .squeegees I I4 disposedv in another pair of diametrically located boxes 98.

Fluid pressure for operating the pistons disposed within cylinders 96 and '91 may be supplied through aconduit |38, the supply of Huid pressure to the outer rend of cylinder .96.and the inner end of cylinder 91 being controlled by a solenoid valve |39 and the exhaust from such ends of `these cylinders being controlled by a solenoid valve |40. Valves |39 and |40 `are connected vto the outer end of cylinder 96 by a conduit 14|, and .to the inner end of cylinder v91 by a conduit |42. 'The supply ofiluid pressure to the inner end of cylinder 96 and to the outer end of cylinder "91 is controlled by a solenoid valve |43, and theexhaust from such ends of Vthese cylinders is controlled by solenoid valve |44. 'Valves |43 and |44 communicate with the inner end of cylinder 96 through conduit |45, and with the outer end of cylinder 91 through conduit |46.

AAs shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided la Vsulicient number of dye applying means 95 to imprint a design in two colors, but obviously any desired number of .printing means may be utilized when itis desired to apply a designhaving The operation, however, would be the same, .and consequently, for 'the purposes .of description andfillustration, it is believed .only vI ifecessary to ydisclose and describe a two-color printing mechanism.

. For proper control of the printing mechanism,

.there .maybe provided on the plate a limit lconductor |68 .tact I 1| of switch 'switches I5I -nected through conductor .in energizing solenoid 54 10 switch I 41 which vis operated by an arm |48 carried by thepiston rod |34 and a .secondlimit switch-|49 which operated by an arm .|546 carried by the piston rod |36. The connections and operation of these limit switches. I 41 and |49 will be described in connection with the operation of the machine and a description of the control circuit therefor.

The plate I5 also serves to support control switches |5I and |52 which are operatedby pins |53 extending upwardly from the upper surface of table I3, switches |5| and |52-being operated upon upward movement of this table, and the particular mannerv in which they control the operationof the machine will be presently described.

In Fig. 14 there is shown a sock |55 in which the cuff |55 thereof is applied over the outer end of the board i6, it being noted that .the inner Iedge of the cuff ispositioned in engagement with the marking line or gage t9 on the board I 6. Y'I'his results in proper positioning of the cu |55 rto receive a design |56 which is to be imprinted thereon. Fig. 15 shows thesock |54 with'the first color of the design |56 printed thereon, and Fig. 16 shows the same sock with the complete design intwo colors thereon.

The electrical rcontrol circuit for the printing apparatus is shown schematically in Fig. 17 and starting4 and stopping of the apparatus is controlled by a foot switch or other convenient means |51. As shown in Fig. 17 electrical current for actuation of the control means comprises line :conductors |58 and |59, conductor |58 serving as a commonfreturn from solenoid valves 53, 54, 51, 58, |39, |48, |43 and |44.

Conductor |59 leads to one contact |60 of single pole, single throw foot switch |51, the other contact of this switch v|6I being connected through conductor |62 with contacts v|63 and |64 of double pole, double throw switch 59. Contact |65 of switch 59 is connected through conductor |66 with solenoid .valves 54 and 51. The other contact |61 of switch 59 connects through with contact |69 of single pole, Vsingle throw switch |41 and with contact A|16 of single pole, single throw switch |49. Con- |41 connects through concontact |13 of switch |49 connects through -conductor |14 with these same solenoid valves .53 and 58.

The operation of solenoid valves |39, |40, |43 and '|44 is controlled -by single pole, single throw and |52 which are actuated by pins .|53 located on the table I3, these switches being .actuated upon upwardmovement of table I3.

As will be seen from Fig. 17 contact |15 of switch |5| and contact |16 of switch |52. are supplied with current through conductor |11 from .line conductor |59. Contact |19 ofswitch |5I is con- 19 withsolenoid valves |40 and |43 while Contact |39 of switch |52 is connected through conductor I8I with solenoid valves |39 and |44.

In operation and assuming the table yI3 lto `be in .the .extreme lowermost position and the piston rod 43 of cylinder 4|] in uppermost position depression of the foot switch |51 will result which will admit fluid pressure to the upper end of cylinder 40 and will likewise energize solenoid"51 which will permitexhaust of fluid from the lower end of cylinder 40. This will result in downward 'movement of piston 43 and upward `movement of table I3. This is by reason of the fact that contacts |63 2,ceo,1 18

and |65 of double pole, double throw switch |63 are closed and this switch will remain in this condition until table I3 reaches the uppermost limit of travel. Upon this condition being reached and assuming one of the pins |565 to be directly beneath the actuating plunger of switch |51 this switch will be closed to energize solenoid valves Illl and |li3 which will admit fluid pressure to one end of cylinder S as well as one end of cylinder 91. This will cause movement oi' piston rods |313 and |36 to the right as viewed in Fig. 17 and at the same time due to the fact that arm E2 has reached its lowermost point of travel, switch 59 will operate to open contacts |63 and |64 thus deenergizing solenoid valves 54 and 5l and contacts |66 and |61 will be closed to supply current to contact |69 of switch |41 and contact of switch M9,

Upon piston rods |36 and i3d reaching their limit of travel to the right as viewed in Fig. 17 at which time one printing operation will have been completed contacts l'l and ill of switch |49 will close thus energizing solenoids 53 and 5t which will introduce fluid pressure to the lower end of cylinder l and permit exhaust of fluid pressure from the upper end of this cylinder. This will result in upward movement of piston 43 and downward movement of table i3. Upon downward movement of this table contacts H5 and |18 of switch |5| will open thus deenergizing solenoid valves Mil and |43 and as soon as table |53 reaches its lowermost point of travel and arm 62 reaches its uppermost point contacts |63 and |65 of switch b9 will be again closed to energize solenoid valves 5d and El thus causing table i3 to again move upwardly. Since during the cycle of operation above described, the table i3 has rotated in a clockwise direction the distance between adjacent boards i6 and the pin |53 which was formally beneath the plunger of switch ll has moved away from this position and the next succeeding pin will be positioned below the plunger of switch |52. Upon table |3 reaching its uppermost position contacts Il@ and I8@ of switch |52 will be closed thus energizing solenoid valves |39 and Hit which will result in piston rods i345 and it@ moving toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1'7 and upon completion of this movement contacts |69 and il! of switch lill' will be closed to energize solenoid valves 53 and 553 which will again result in downward movement of the table i3. Assuming that the foot switch |51 is maintained in the depressed or closed condition the above described cycle of operations will continue indefinitely as long as desired. Upon release of the foot switch |51 operation of the apparatus will cease.

It will be seen that by the above described invention there has been provided a highly efflcient printing apparatus for applying designs in as many colors as desired to the cuffs of socks or other fabric articles and in which it is only necessary for the operator to apply the cuffs of these socks to the boards I6, the location of such socks being determined by the line or gage marking 3% on the board i6, after which the foot switch or other control means |51 is actuated and the design is applied to the articles. These articles are automatically advanced and turned in order that all colors of the design may be applied to both sides of the socks. The only power that is required for the operation of the apparatus is air pressure in sufficient quantity to operate the cylinders d, 96 and 91 and a low voltage, low current electrical supply for actuating the solenoid valves which control the operation of these cylinders. The screen printing process utilized permits the application of many desired designs to the articles and in any variety of colors. The designs may be changed in a minimum of time by merely removing the boxes or dye applying mechanism and changing the screens 99 thereon which carry the design. This is easily accomplished since a quick release mechanism for clamping the boxes 93 in place has been provided and suitable designs may be made up in advance in order to materially speed up the operation of changing designs and permitting substantially continuous production.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, a pneumatic cylinder pivotally mounted on said base, a piston rod extending from said cylinder, linkage means connecting said piston rod and said table whereby upon reciprocation of said piston rod said table will be raised and lowered, solenoid valves for controlling the operation of said piston rod, a limit switch operable by said piston rod at each end of its stroke, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axes on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table and supported by said base, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each upward movement of said table and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from said plate, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement of said table said cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space between adjacent depending teeth to lock said table against rotation, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each downward movement of said table comprising a series of annularly disposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth fixed to said base and end having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table said last mentioned cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table, detent means for releasably retaining each board against rotation about its longitudinal axis in either of two positions spaced apart, means to partially rotate said. boards comprising a collar secured to each board adjacent the inner end thereof, diametrically disposed notches in each collar, an upwardly extending tooth carried by said base and engageable with one of said notches upon downward movement of said table to partially rotate the associated board, means to complete the rotation of said boards through 180 comprising 'asubstantially horizontal 'trackmovable up and'down with --said table lb1`1t'non rotatable therewith, "said track being' disposed below the longitudinalaxes of-said boards and lhaving a downwardly curved leading -end lengageable with 'said "partially rotated f -boards whereby upon Vrotation rof said table'the engagement of'said traekfwithsaid partial-ly rotated boards will complete the rotation thereof through 180,1dye applying means comprisinga plurality of diametrically disposed boxes supported by 'said plate above said boards, a screensecured to each box and forming the bottom thereof, said screenbeing coated with aimateria-l impervi- 'ous to thedye except ina -portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, afsqueegee -reciprocallymounted in each box Aand engaging the upper surfaceof said screen, means for raising said squeegee out of 'Contact with said screen as it approaches each'end of itsstroke and for causing reengagement `with said screen at each end of its stroke whereby said dye will be prevented `from collecting at each end of said box, means'to reciprocate said squeegeescomprising a pneumatic cylinder for each diamertically disposed pair, a vpiston rod extending through yeach 'cylinder andconnected to diamertically'disposed squeegees, solenoid valves for controlling the operationof said cylinders, alimit switch electrically connected to said first mentioned limit switch and operable by each of said last mentioned piston rods for controlling the opera- 'tion'of saidiirst mentioned solenoid valves, spaced switches mounted on said plate for controlling the operation of said -last mentioned solenoid valves, a series of.annularly disposed upstanding pins on 'said table for vanrztuating said last mentioned switches and shoes disposed beneath said boxes and said boards to prevent undue deflection of said boards whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried lby said boards 'will vengage the lower surfaces lof said screens and -said squeegees will moveacross said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

2. YApparatus'for design dyeingl of fabric articles comprising -in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatablyand reciprocably mounted on said -basefor vertical movement, a` pneumatic cylinder =pivotally mounted on A'said base, a piston rod extending from said cylinder, linkage means Vcon- -necting -said 'piston rod and said table whereby Iupon reciprocation of said piston rod said table will Vbe raised and lowered, solenoid valves for controlling the operation of said piston rod, a Alimit switch operable by said piston rod at each 'endof its strike, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axes 'on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table and supportedV by said base,.means to rotate said table adistance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each upward movement of Asaidtable and vto lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position `comprising* a series of-'annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from `said plate,'a beveled cam vsurface on the lower end of each depending tooth, Aanupwardly extending toothron said table having `a beveled vcam `survfaceion the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement of saidy table 'said cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table vuntil said upwardlyv extending tooth 'moves into the space between-adjacent depending teeth fto lock said .tablelagainst rotation,-means mentioned solenoid valves, 'mounted on said plate Afor Acontrolling the oper- 14 to rotate-said tableadistanceI equal to substantially one `half the `distance 'between adjacent boards 'during f each `downward .movement'zofi said table `comprising ya series of annularlyfdispo'sed -rteeth depending fromsaidtable, a beveled cam `surface yon'the lower end of veach yofvs'aidil'ast mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth fixed to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof wherebyiupon vdownward movement of lsaid table saidllastfmentioned cam surfaces will engage lto `cause 'rotation of said table, detent means for releasably retaining each board against rotationabout its longitudinal axis in either of two posi-tions spaced apart, means -to partially rotate sa-id boards lcomprising a collar secured to'each boardadjacent the inner end thereotdiametricallydisposed Anotches in each collar, an upwardly extending tooth carried by said basevand engageable with one of said notches upondownwardvmovement of said -table to partially rotate the associated-board, means to complete the rotation Vof said boards through 180 comprising asubstantially horizontal track movable up and down with said table but non-rotatable therewith, said track being disposed below the longitudinal axesof said boards and having a downwardly curved leading end engageable with said partially rotated boards whereby upon rotation of said table vthe engagement of said track-with said 'partially rotated boards will complete the rotation thereof through 180, dye applying means comprising a plurality of diametrically-disposed boxes supported by said plate above lsaid boards, a screen secured to each box and forming the bottom thereof, said vscreen being coated with a material Iimpervious to the dye except in a portion forming the -outline Vof 'the design to be'applied, a squeegee reciprocably mounted on each box and engagingthe -upper surface of said screen, means for raising said 'squeegee out of contact with lsaid'screen as it approaches each end of its stroke and for causing reengagement with said screen at eachvend of its stroke whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box, means to reciprocate said squeegees comprising a pneumatic cylinder for each diametrically disposed pair, a piston rod extending through each cylinder'and connected to diametrically disposed squeegees, solenoid Valves for controlling the operation of said cylinders, a limit switch electrically connected to said rst mentioned limit switch and operable by each of said last mentioned `piston rods for controlling the operation of said first spaced switches ation of said last mentioned solenoid valves and a'series of annularlydisposed upstanding pins on said table for actuating said last mentioned switches whereby upon upward movement of said table articlescarried by said boards will engage vthe lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force vdye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

3. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, a uid pressure cylinder pivotally mounted on said base, a piston rod extending from said cylinder, linkage means connecting said piston rod and said table lwhereby upon reciprocation of said piston rod said table wil-1 be raised and lowered, solenoid valves for controlling theoperation'of said `.pis-

ton rod, a limit switch operable by said piston rod at each end of its stroke, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axes on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table and supported by said base, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each upward movement of said table and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth dependingfrom said plate, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement of said table said cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space between the adjacent depending teeth to lock said table against rotation, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one-half the distance between adjacent boards during each downward movement of said table comprising a series of annularly disposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth fixed to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table said last mentioned cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table, detent means for releasably retaining each board against rotation about its longitudinal axis in either of two positions spaced 180 apart, means to partially rotate said boards comprising a collar secured to each board adjacent the inner end thereof, diametrically disposed notches in each collar, an upwardly extending tooth carried by said base and engageable with one of said notches upon downward movement of said table to partially rotate the associated board, mean to complete the rotation of said boards through 180 comprising a substantially horizontal track movable up and down with said table but non-rotatable therewith, said track being disposed below the longitudinal axes of said boards and having a downwardly curved leading end engageable with said partially rctated boards whereby upon rotation of said table the engagement of said track with said partially rotated boards will complete the rotation thereof through 180, dye applying means comprising a plurality of diametrically disposed boxes supported by said plate above said board, a screen secured to each box and forming the bottom thereof, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a squeegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means for raising said sdueegee out of contact with said screen as it approaches each end of its stroke and for causing reengagement of said screen at each end of its stroke whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said lbox, means to reciprocate said squeegees comprising a uid pressure cylinder for each diametrically disposed. pair, a piston rod extending through each cylinder and connected to diametrically disposed squeegees, solenoid valves for controlling the operation of said cylinders, a limit switch electrically connected to said iirst mentioned limit switch and operable by each of said last mentioned piston rods for controlling the operation of said first mentioned solenoid valves, spaced switches mounted on said plate for controlling the operation of said last mentioned solenoid valves and a series of annularly disposed upstanding pins on said table for actuating said last mentioned switches whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

4. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said base, a piston rod extending from said cylinder and connected to said table whereby upon reciprocation of said piston rod said table will be raised and lowered, solenoid valves for controlling the operation of said piston rod, a limit switch operable by said piston rod at each end of its stroke, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axes on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one-half the distance between adjacent boards during each upward movement of said table and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from said plate, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement of said table said cam surfacesv will engage to cause rotation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space between the adjacent depending teeth to lock said table against rotation, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one-half the distance between adjacent boards during each downward movement of said table comprising a series of annularly disposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth fixed to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table sai-d last mentioned cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table, means for releasably retaining each board against rotation about its longitudinal axes in either of two positions spaced apart, means to partially rotate said boards comprising a collar secured to each board adjacent the inner end thereof, diametrically disposed notches in each collar, an upwardly extending tooth carried by said base and engageable with one of said notches upon downward movement of said table to partially rotate the associated board, means to complete the rotation of said boards through 180 comprising a substantially horizontal track movable up and down with said table but non-rotatable therewith, said track being disposed below the longitudinal axes of said board' and having a downwardly curved leading end engageable with said partially rotated boards whereby upon rotation of said table the engagement of said track with said partially rotated boards will complete the rotation thereof through 180, dye applying means comprising a plurality of diametrically disposed boxes supported by said plate above said board, a screen secured to f zontaltable rotatably i 171?" each box Vandformingthe "-bottomlthereofgl"said screen being coated with-a material'-im'pervic'ius `vv tothe dye except in a portion?-forming-theout# line of the-design 'to be applied, a squee'g'ereciprocably mounted in each box -and engagingthe upper surface of said screen,V means for raisingA said'squeegee out ofr contact withfsaid-screen asit approaches each end of its stroke-and-forv causing reengagement with said-screen-fat 'eachfv end of its stroke whereby said dye twill be'pre'v vented from collecting at each 'end-ofv said bo-xgmeans to reciprocate said squeegees comprising a iiuid pressure cylinder Vfor Teach diametrically disposed pair, a piston lrodextendingthrough each cylinder and connected-to' diametrically-l disposed squeegees, solenoid vvalves for control-1 ling the operation-of said cylinders-a limit switch electrically connected to said first mentioned limit switchand operableby each of'said last mentioned piston rods for-controlling the operation of said -irst mentioned-solenoid Valves;- spaced switches mountedon said plate for con-- trolling the operation ofy ysaid-lasty mentioned solenoid valves and a series of vannularly -disi `l posed upstanding pins on said -tablefor actuat-'I ing said last mentioned switches'whe'reby upon upward movement ofv said table articlescarr-ie'dv by said-boards will engage-the lowerlsurfaces ofsaid screens and said squeegees-wil-lmove"across said screens to force dye therethroughan'd apply" said design to said articles.l

5, Apparatus for design -dyeing--off-falbric'ar-fY ticles comprising-in combinationfa-base a horiand reciprbcably-'mounte'd on said base for vertical-movement, a'nuid 'pres sure' cylinder mounted 'onsaidbas"e, -a piston 'rod-- extending irony-said cylinder' andiconnec-ted'f-to said table whereby uponreciprocationof said-f1- piston rod said-table will be raised-and lowered,

solenoid valves for controlling-thef'operation 0h40"vv said piston rod,- a limit switchoperablefbysaidpiston rod at each end'of its'str'olz'e, afplur'alitylvr of article supporting-boards rotatably-mounted"- about their longitudinal axes on'said table-andl extending radially therefromQ-a plate disposed 45 above said table, means :to frotate's'aidtable a distance equal to Vsubstantially`one half-the--dis-l tance between adjacent 'boardsi during-reachfmp ward movement of"saidtablef-andito lo'ckl saidfi tablel against rotationiwheninfuppermost 'posi-"50 tion' 'comprising a series f of i" annularly "dis'posed spaced teeth depending Ifrom'said iplateja beveled cam surface on" the `lower-"end 'f 'ofi each depende ing tooth, upwardlyfextendingtoothi'on sai-d'-` tabie' having" a beveled carn f surface 'on' fthe upper-y 55 end thereof whereby upon-upward movement ofsaid table said`cam'surfaceswilliengage tofcauselr v` rotation of said Atable'until:said:upwardly-:exe-L tending tooth' moves into f the-space=-between the adjacent dependingl teeth tofflock said-'wtable-f'i) against rotation; means -to rotate #said :table #afI distance equal" to substantially: onelialf the dise tance between adjacent-boardsduring each-dewn-- ward movementof 'said table "comprising ra 'seriesfr` of annularly disposed .teeth depending Vfrom--said165 table, a beveled cam vsurface on'fthei lower\ end fof#- each of said last mentioned-'teeth andy-anamn-44 wardly extending-f tooth -nxed =to said 4basei and having a beveled Acam sui-f-ace-onithefupperfendthereof whereby upon'downward+movement=-1of `70 said table said last mentioned cam surfaces Will engage to cause frotati'on of1 said .=table,=.means-- for releasably v'retaining each-aboardagainstfro-f tation 'about its longitudinal :axes-vini-either-oin two positions spaced 180-ci apart ,f--means-operable -7 5 upon downward-'movement of lsa'id table to partially-'firotate one of jfsa'id boards,v` means to* complete fthe. rotationoffsaid board through 180 comprising y a 'substantially horizontal track movable up and down with-said table but-non-'rota'table' therewithf said track being disposed below the' llongitudinal ariesv of saidv boards --andfengagel surface' lofvsaidscreen-means -forA raisingsaidas it apsq'ue'egee out' of"'conta'ctfwith said screen causing proaohes each end fofits stroke and for reeng'agement with "said-screen at each pressure cylinder for-"each diametrically disposed pair; a piston ro'dfextending-throug'h each cylinde'rf and@ connectedr` to diametrically disposed squeegees, solenoid valves'io'r controlling theoperation-ofA` said-cylinders; allimit 4switch elec-y trically vconnected-to' said nr-st mentioned limitswitch andi-operable by eachof said-last mentione'd-pistonrods fori-controlling the operation of-said'-rst'-l-mentioned solenoid valves, spaced switchesmounted on -said -plate for controlling the operation--of-said last mentioned solenoid valves and fa series of annularly disposed upstanding-1* pins oni 'Ssaid 'ftable f-for f actuating --said last mentioned '-switches-whereby 'uponupward movement'v of'saidt'able articles-carried by said boards willengage -the--low'erlsurfaces of said screens and said-'squeege'es-fwilllmove-across said screens to fcrceifdye' therethrough vand apply said-design-to said-'artielesgl- 6; Apparatus for design dyeing-of fabricarticles-(comprising:ini-combination a base, -a horizontal table'rotatablyv and reciprocably'mounted onsaidbasefforfvertical movement, a fluid pressure cylinder -rnounte'd-on-'said base, a piston rod extending from said cylinder-'and connected to saidtable -whereby uponreciprocation `of said pistonA rod `saidtable -will beraised and lowered, solenoid valves' ior-controlling the-operation of said-piston rodfa limit' switch operable by said piston' rod at each end-of its stroke,'a plurality ofv article' supporting-boards rotatably mounted f about their longitudinal axes on said table and I extending radially therefrom; a plate disposed above said-table,L means-to 'rotate said table a distance equalto substantially one half the dise tance between' adjacent boards during each upward movement of said table and tov lock said table against* rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spacedteth-depending from'said plate, a beveled camsurfa'ce on the-lower end of each depending ltoothg-i an 'upwardly extending tooth? on said table :having a beveled cam' surface on the upper end' thereof whereby -upon upward movement of said-table ,fsaid'cam surfaces vwill engage to cause rotation-fof saidy tableun'til said upwardly -extending v-toothi moves linto the space between ad- Ajacent depending-teethqto lock saidtable against i'rotation,---means to `rotate said -table a distance box and rend of its --str'okel whereby saidI dye will be prevented-- from collectingati-'each` end-of said box, means v to'reciprocate'said---squeegees comprising a iiuid equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each downward movement of said table comprising a series oi annularly disposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth lixed to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table said last mentioned cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table, means Jfor releasably retaining each board against rotation about its longitudinal axis in either of two positions spaced 18il apart, means operable 'upon downward movement of said table to partially rotate one of said boards, means engageable with said boards to complete the rotation thereof through 180, dye applying means comprising a plurality or diametrically disposed boxes supported by said plate above said boards, a screen forming the bottom of each box, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a squeegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means for raising said sdueegee out of contact with said screen as it approaches each end of its stroke and for causing reengagement with said screen at each end of its stroke whereby said dye will be prevented rom collecting at each end o said box, means to reciprocate said squeegees comprising a fluid pressure cylinder for each diametrically disposed pair, a piston rod extending through each cylinder and connected to diametrically disposed squeegees, solenoid valves for controlling the operation o said cylinders, a limit switch electrically connected to said first mentioned limit switch and operable by each of said last mentioned piston rods for controlling the operation of said iirst mentioned solenoid valves, spaced switches mounted on said plate for controlling the operation of said last mentioned solenoid valves and a series or annularly disposed upstanding pins on said table for actuating said last mentioned switches whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said esign to said articles.

7. Apparatus for design dyeing o fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said base, a piston rod extending from said cylinder and connected to said table whereby upon reciprocation oi said piston rod said table will be raised and lowered, a pl rality or article supporting boards rotatably mounted about their longitudinal aXes on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each upward movement of said table and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from said plate,

a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement or Said table said cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space between adjacent depending teeth 'to lock said table against rotation, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each downward movement of said table comprising a series o annularly disposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each oi said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth hired to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement oi said table said last mentioned cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table, means lor releasably retaining each board against rotation about its longitudinal axes in either o two positions spaced apart, n ns operable upon downward movement of said table to partially rotate one of said boards, means engageable with said boards to complete the rotation thereor through 180 during rotation ci said table, dye applying means comprising a plurality of ametrically disposed bores supported by salu plate above said boards, a screen 'orming the bottom oi each box, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a squeegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means for raising said squeegee out of contact with said screen as it approaches each end of its stroke and for causing reengagement with said screen at each end of its strolae whereby dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box, means to reciprocate said squeegees comprising a duid pressure cylinder 'lor each diametrically disposed pair, a piston rod ei'itending through each cylinder and connected to dia'- metrically disposed squeegees and means to control the up and down movement of said tali.; and the reciprocation or said suueegees whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces or said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

8. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a hori- Zontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on said base, a piston rod extending from said cylinder and connected to said table whereby upon reciprocation of said piston rod said table will be raised and lowered, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted about their longitudinal axes on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each upward movement of said table and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from said plate, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement oi" said table said cam surfaces will engage to cause `otation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space between adjacent depending teeth to lock said table against rotation, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards duringr each downward move- 2,690,111si'L ment of-said table comprisingia series of annular-4' ly disposedteeth depending fromfsaidtable, a

beveled cam surface on thelowerzendfof each of said last mentionedvteeth' and an upwardly extending tooth xed'A to 'said base and having a beveled cam surface'on'the'upperend thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table said :last mentioned' cam surfaceswill engage to cause rotation'of said table, means for releasably retaining each board against rotation about -its longitudinal axes inv'either of`A two positions spaced 180 apart,:means--operable'fupon down ward movement of saidy table toA partially .frotatef one of said boards, means engageable with said boardsto I complete the rotation thereof through 180, of ,diametrically disposed-boxes supported bysaid plate abovesaid boards, a screen forming the bottom of eaehfbox, said-screen being coatedwith a vmaterial imperviousto the dye `except in aportion forming-the outline ofthe `design to'be applied, a squeegee reciprocably-mountedineaoh boX and engaging the-.upper surface of `said`I screen, means -for raisingsaidsqueegee out of Contact with said screen as it approaches eachv end of its stroke and .for cauSingreengagement with said screen at each` end of` its stroke `whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting-at each end of said box, means to reciprocate said squeegees and means to control the up and down movement of said table and the reciprocation of said squeegees whereby upon upwardv movement of said table articles carried by .said boards willv engage the lower surfaces of said screens .and`

said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

9. Apparatus for design dyeingv of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, means to raise and lower saidtable, a plurality of article supporting boardsrotatably mountedabout their longitudinal axes on saidtable and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially' one half the distance between adjacent boards during eachupward movementA of said table and to lock said table againstrrotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from said plate, a beveled cam surface onlthe lower end of each depending tooth, an'upwa'rdly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof -`whereby upon upward movement of said table said'oam` surfaces will engage to cause rotation' of 'said table until said upwardly extending tooth'moves into the space between adjacent' depending .teeth to lock said table against rotation, means to ro tate said table a distance equal to substantially one `half the distance between adjacent boards during each downward movement of said .table" comprising a series of annularlydisposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled'cam surfaceA on the lower end of each'of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly vextending tooth xed to' said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper vend thereof vwhereby uponxdownwar'd movement of said table said last mentioned cam surfaces will engage tocause vrotation of said table, means for releasably retaining each board against rotation about its longitudinal axesineither of two positions spaced 180 apart, means operable upon downward movementof` dye applying means comprising 4.a plurality Acollecting atv each ciproc'ate f said 'sdue'egees'El and meansv to control saidtable to partially rotate one of said'boards,`

meansengageabIe with said boards to complete the'rotation thereof `through 180, dye applying means-comprising a plurality of diametrically disposed boxes supported by said plate above said boards, a screen forming the bottom of each box, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a squeegee reciprocably Ymounted iny each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means for raising said squeegee out of contact withv said screen as it approaches` each end of its stroke and for causing reengagement with said screen at each end of its stroke whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box, means to reciprocate said squeegees and means to control the up and down movement of said table and the reciprocation of said squeegees whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therem through and apply said design to said articles.

l0. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal tabie rotatably and reciproca-bly mounted on said base for vertical movement, means to raise and lower said table, a plurality of article sup porting boards rotatably mounted on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate exn posed above said table, means to rotate said table during 'each upward movement thereof and to lock vsaid table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed'spaced teeth depending from said plate, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement of said table said cam surfaces will engage'tocause rotation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space be'tween'adjacent `depending teeth to lock said table against rotation, means torotate said table during each downward-movement thereof comn prising a series of annularly disposed teeth dependingfrom'said table, a beveled cam surface on'the'lower end of each of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth fixed to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the'upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table said last mentioned cam surfaces' will engage'to cause rotation of said table, means for reieasably retaining cach board against rotation about its longitudinal axes in either of two positions spaced 180 apart, means operable upondownward movement of said table to vpartially rotate one of said boards, means engageable with said boards to complete the rotation thereof through 180, dye applying vmeans comprising a plurality,ofdiametrically disposed boxes supported by said plate above said boards, a screen forming the bottom of eachbox, said screen'being coated with a material impervious to the' dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a squeegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means for raising .said squeegee out of 'contact with'said screen as it approacheseaoh end of its stroke and for caus- 'reengagement with said screen at each end of its stroke whereby said dye will be prevented from endof said box, means to re-v the up and down movement of said table and reciprocation of said squeegees whereby upon upward movement o said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeeges will move across said screens to force dye thereto and apply said design to said articles.

l1. Apparatus for design dyeing fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, means to raise and lower said table, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table, means to rotate said table during each upward movement thereof and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from said plate, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement of said table said cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space between adjacent depending teeth to lock said table against rotation, means to rotate said table during each downward movement thereof comprising a series of annularly disposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth fixed to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table said last mentioned cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table, means operable upon downward movement of said table and rotation thereof to rotate said boards through 180, dye applying means comprising a plurality of diametrically disposed boxes supported by said plate above said boards, a screen forming the bottom of each box, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a sdueegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging upper surface of said screen, means for rais- :'-ng said squeegce out of contact with said screen as it approaches each end of its stroke and for causing reengagement with said screen at each end of its stroke whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box, means to reciprocate said squeegees and means te control the up and down movement of said table and the reciprocation of said squeegees v-..i'ln ereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye theretm ough and apply the said design to said articles.

12. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, means to raise and lower said table, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted on said table and extending radially therefrom, a plate disposed above said table, means to rotate said table during each upward movement thereof and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position comprising a series of annularly disposed spaced teeth depending from said plate, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each depending tooth, an upwardly extending tooth on said table having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon upward movement of said table said cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table until said upwardly extending tooth moves into the space between the adjacent depending teeth to lock said table against rotation, means to rotate said table during each downward movement thereof comprising a series of annularly disposed teeth depending from said table, a beveled cam surface on the lower end of each of said last mentioned teeth and an upwardly extending tooth fixed to said base and having a beveled cam surface on the upper end thereof whereby upon downward movement of said table said last mentioned cam surfaces will engage to cause rotation of said table, means operable upon downward movement of said table and rotation thereof to rotate said boards through dye applying means comprising a plurality of diametrically disposed boxes supported by said plate above said boards, a screen forming the bottom of each box, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a squeegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means to reciprocate said squeegees and means to control the up and down movement of said table and the reciprocation of said squeegees whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

13. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a hori- Zontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, to raise and lower said table, a plurality of article supporting boards rotatably mounted on said table and extending radially therefrom, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each upward movement of said table and to lock said table against rotation when in uppermost position, means to rotate said table a distance equal to substantially one half the distance between adjacent boards during each downward movement of said table, means operable upon downward movement of said table and rotation thereof to rotate said boards through 180, dye applying means comprising a plurality of diametrically disposed boxes disposed above said boards, a screen forming the bottom of each box, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a squeegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means to reciprocate said squeegees and means to control the up and down movement of said table and the reciprocation of said squeegees whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

14. Apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles comprising in combination a base, a horizontal table rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said base for vertical movement, means to raise and lower said table, a plurality on said table and extending radially therefrom,

means to rotate said table during each upward movement thereof and to lock .said table against rotation when. in uppermost position, meansto rotate said table during each downward movement thereof, means operable upon downward movement of said table and rotation thereof to rotate said boards through 180, dye applying means comprising a plurality of diametrically disposed boxes disposed above said boards, a screen forming-the bottom of each box, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in the portion forming the outline of the design tobe applied, ,asqueegee reciprocably mounted in each box and engaging the upper surface of said screen, means `to .reciprocate said squeegees and means to control theup and down movement ofsaid .table and the reciprocation of said squeegees whereby upon upward movement of said table articles carried by said boards will engage the lower surfaces of said screens and said squeegees will move across said screens to force dye therethrough and apply said design to said articles.

l5. An. apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles as defined in claim 14 in which said boards are provided with a band of contrasting color to indicate the proper position of said articles thereon.

16. For use in an apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles, a dye applying means comprising a box having sidewalls and end walls, a screen secured to said box and forming the bottom thereof, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a horizontal groove in the inner faces of said sidewalls, said grooves terminating at each end in enlarged recesses, wedge-shaped gate members pivotally mounted in each recess, resilient means for biasing said gate members into engagement with the lower surfaces of said grooves, a squeegee disposed in said box and comprising a rectangular block, pins extending from opposite edges of said blocl: and slidably disposed in said grooves, a groove in the lower edge of said block, a flexible blade slidably disposed in said last mentioned groove, resilient means urging said blade outwardly of said last mentioned groove and into engagement with said screen and means to limit outward movement of said blade whereby upon movement of said squeegee in one direction said pins will ride up and over said gate members to raise said blade out of contact with said screen said pins moving downwardly within said recesses to cause reengagement of said blade with said screen and upon movement of said seueegee in the opposite direction said pins will slide on the lower surfaces of said grooves and move said gate members out of the way against the action of said first mentioned resilient means whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box.

1'?. For use in an apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles, a dye applying means cornprising a box having sidewalls and end walls, a screen secured to said box and forming the bottom thereof, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a horizontal groove in the inner faces of said sidewalls, said grooves terminating at each end in enlarged recesses, gate members blades with mounted in each recess, resilient means for biasing said gate members into engagement with the lower surfaces of saidr grooves, a squeegee disposed in said boxv and comprising a rectangular-block, pins extending from opposite edges of vsaid block and slidably disposed in said grooves, a groovein the lower edge ofy said block, a fiexible blade slidably disposed in said last mentioned groove, resilient means urging said blade outwardlyrof said last mentioned groove andinto engagement with said screen and means to limitoutward movement of said blade whereby upon movement of said squeegee in one direction said pinswill ride up and over said gate members toraise said blade out of contact with said screen said pins :moving downwardly withinsaid recesses to .cause reengagement of said said screen and upon movement of squeegee in the opposite direction said pins will slide on thev lower surfaces of said grooves and move said gate members out of the way Y against 'the action of said rst mentioned resilient means whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box.

i8. For use in an apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles, a dye applying means comprising a box having sidewalls and end walls, a screen secured to said box and forming the bottom thereof, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a horizontal groove in the inner faces of said sidewalls, said grooves terminating at each end in enlarged recesses, gate members mounted 1n each recess, resilient means for biasing said gate members into engagement with the lower surfaces of said grooves, a squeegee disposed in said box and comprising a block, pins extending from opposite edges of said block and slidably disposed in said grooves, a flexible blade carried by said block, resilient means urging said blade outwardly of said block and into engagement with said screen and means to limit outward movement of said blade whereby upon movement of said squeegee in one direction said pins will ride up and over said gate members to raise said blade out of contact with said screen said pins moving downwardly within said recesses to cause reengagement of said blade with said screen and upon movement of said squeegee in the opposite direction said pins will slide on the lower surfaces of said grooves and move said gate members out of the way against the action of said rst mentioned resilient means whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box.

19, For use in an apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles, a dye applying means comprising a box having side walls and end walls, a screen secured to said box and forming a bottom thereof, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a horizontal groove in the inner faces of said side walls, said grooves terminating at each end in enlarged recesses, gate members mounted in each recess, resilient means for biasing said gate members into engagement with the lower surfaces of said grooves, a squeegee disposed in said box and comprising a block, pins extending from opposite edges of said block and slidably disposed in said grooves, a iiexible blade carried by block and engaging said screen whereby upon movement of said squeegee in one direction said will ride up and over said gate members to raise said blade out of contact with said screen said pins moving downwardly within said recesses to cause reengagement of said blade with said screen and upon movement of said squeegee in the opposite direction said pins will slide on the lower surfaces of said grooves and move said gate members out of the way against the action of said resilient means whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box.

20. For use in an apparatus for design dyeing of fabric articles, a dye applying means comprising a box having side walls and end walls, a screen secured to said box and forming the bottom thereof, said screen being coated with a material impervious to the dye except in a portion forming the outline of the design to be applied, a hori- Zontal groove in the inner faces of said side walls, said grooves terminating at each end in enlarged recesses, gate members mounted in each recess and normally engaging the lower surfaces of said grooves, a squeegee disposed in said box and comprising a block, pins extending from opposite edges of said block and slidably disposed in said grooves, a flexible blade carried by said block and engaging said screen whereby upon movement of said squeegee in one direction said pins will ride up and over said gate members to raise said blade out of contact with said screen said pins moving downwardly within said recesses to cause reengagement of said blade with said screen and upon movement of said squeegee in the opposite direction said pins will slide on the lower surfaces of said grooves and move said gate members out of the way whereby said dye will be prevented from collecting at each end of said box.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,029,544 Horvath June 11, 1912 1,815,021 Bland July 14, 1931 2,462,376 Fleischer et al Feb. 22, 1949 2,462,447 Wellborn Feb. 22, 1949 2,485,289 Jane Oct. 18, 1949 2,571,685 DAutremont Oct. 16, 1951

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