Improvements in Apparatus for Treating and Scouring or Cleansing Wool and other Materials, for removing. therefrom Greasy or other Matters, and for analogous Cleansing and Separating Operations.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 14th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 15th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Treating and Scouring or Cleansing
Wool and other Materials, for removing. therefrom Greasy or
other Matters, and for analogous Cleansing and Separating
Operations.
We, GEORGE LEWIS PHIPPS EYRE of 1 John Street, Bedford Row, in the
County of Middlesex, Solicitor, and THOMAS JOHN HOPKINS of Cradle Bridge
Works, Trowbridge, in the County of Wilts Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more especially to improvements in apparatus suited for
employment in operations such as are described in the Specifications of Letters
Patent No. 4262 dated the 21st day of October 1879 and No. 17429 dated the 29th
day of November 1888.
The invention consists in improvements in the apparatus by which the material
under treatment is subjected to the cleansing agent to the centrifugal apparatus or
extractor by which moisture is separated from the material under treatment and to
apparatus for washing the material.
66
The apparatus by which the material is subjected to the action of the cleansing
agent consists of a closed tank which may be termed a scourer" provided with a
suitable cover or covers and with inlet and outlet for the cleansing agent and the
water and containing receptacles for the material preferably consisting of trays of
wire work supported in a framing to which a rising and descending movement is
given in the cleansing liquid contained in the tank.
It is preferred to employ two of these frames containing trays and to carry them
at opposite ends of arms or levers to which a vibratory movement is imparted so
that they are alternately raised and lowered which is conveniently effected by
keying the said arms or levers on a shaft passing through stuffing boxes to outside
the tank and there having secured to it an arm having in it a slot in which engages
a pin on a crank disc rotated by any suitable motor so as to give a rocking move-
ment to the said shaft and so effect the alternating rising and descending movements
of the frames and of the trays carried thereby.
The tank may have a perforated false bottom to keep back any wool which may
escape from the receptacles and is preferably provided with a gauge. The centri-
fugal apparatus or "extractor" by which the cleansing agent and the washing water
" is constructed
are separated from the material after its treatment in the "scourer
so as to obviate the blocking of the passages for liquid through the perforations in
the revolving basket which occurs when the said basket is supported by an outer
With this object the
perforated casing parallel with the sides of the basket.
basket is made of a revolving container having at some little distance outside it
bars at suitable distances apart and between the basket and bars there is a corru-
gated portion which has perforations in it at the portions which are not in contact
with the basket. The material which moves up against the sides of the basket
therefore does not clog the perforations in the corrugated portion as the said
material is kept away from the perforations in the said corrugations by the
basket and consequently the liquid can pass freely away through the said
perforations.
The apparatus by which the washing is effected consists of a number of rollers
set in pairs at a suitable distance apart between which passes an endless band onto
which the material to be washed is fed preferably by another endless band. The
material on the band is squeezed by the said rollers between which the band passes.
The rollers are driven by any suitable motor and are geared together so that they

page_text: all rotate in the same direction. The band by which the material is fed onto the
other band may be driven by the same motor and may be driven by a clutch which
can be operated to feed the material as required. Between the pairs of rollers and
situated above the material carried by the endless band are perforated pipes by
which the washing water is sprayed over the material which is squeezed between the
rollers. A cleaner or "stripper" may rotate in proximity to the delivery end of the
endless band to clear the same effectually.
"
The several apparatus can be enclosed and connected to tanks and an uptake as and
for the purposes described in the aforesaid Specification 17429" for instance the
vapour of the degreasing agent can be drawn from the "scourer" and "extractor
through a suitable condenser which can be effected by means of a steam or water-
jet or exhauster. The vapour may be recondensed; or chemically or otherwise
treated. The same exhausting apparatus may be used for ventilating the material
under treatment and for passing a current of air through the machines.
The supply of the degreasing agent can be kept up automatically in an upper
tank for use in the "scourer" by means of an electro-magnet which throws the
agent pumps in or out of action as required by the action of a float and lever rising
or falling in the lower or receiving tank from which the agent is pumped.
The cleansing water can be electrically or chemically treated either before or
after use for facilitating degreasing and cleansing and can be repeatedly used.
Dated this 15th day of June 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Treating and Scouring or Cleansing
Wool and other Materials, for Removing therefrom Greasy or
other Matters, and for analogous Cleansing and Separating
Operations.
We, GEORGE LEWIS PHIPPS EYRE of 1 John Street, Bedford Row, in the
County of Middlesex, Solicitor, and THOMAS JOHN HOPKINS of Cradle Bridge
Works, Trowbridge in the County of Wilts, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This invention relates more especially to improvements in apparatus suited for
employment in operations such as are described in the Specifications of Letters
Patent No. 4262 dated the 21st day of October 1879 and No. 17429 dated the
29th day of November 1888.
The invention consists of improved apparatus by which the material under
treatment is subjected to the degreasing and cleansing agent whereby not only is
danger of ignition of ignitable vapours from an agent, such as bi-sulphide of
carbon, greatly lessened but also very efficient degreasing scouring, and cleansing
effects are obtained by such agent and water or other washing liquid. The invention
also relates to the centrifugal apparatus or extractor by which moisture is separated
from the material under treatment and to apparatus for washing the material.
"
The apparatus by which the material is subjected to the action of the degreasing
and cleansing agent or agents and which may be termed a
a closed tank provided with a suitable cover or suitable covers and with an inlet or
Scourer consists of
inlets and an outlet or outlets for the degreasing agent and the water or cleansing
liquid the said tank being provided with means whereby a rising and descending
or equivalent vibratory or oscillatory movement of the material under treatment in
the degreasing or cleausing liquid contained in the tank is obtained. Figure 1 of
the accompanying drawings represents in sectional plan and Figure 2 in elevation
partly in section what we consider the most convenient arrangement for this

page_text: purpose, according to our invention. A is the tank in which the degreasing agent
(and afterwards the water or other cleansing agent) is contained-and B' are
receptacles for the material, which receptacles may consist of any arrangement
suitable for supporting the material being treated, for instance they may be simple
frames or cages for containing woven or felted fabrics impregnated with oil greasy
or fatty matter whilst for wool the arrangement shewn is convenient this arrange-
ment consisting of trays or baskets of wire-work or perforated or like material
supported in a frame C to which a rising and descending motion is given in the
degreasing or cleansing liquid contained in the tank. One or any number of these
frames C containing each any convenient number of trays (where trays are used)
may be employed but for wool it is preferred to employ two of these frames C
containing trays or baskets B2 as shewn. The said frames can have imparted to
them the rising and falling or equivalent vibratory or oscillatory movement by any
suitable gear. In the arrangement shewn they are suspended by the links cat
opposite ends of arms or levers d keyed to the shaft D which passes_through
stuffing boxes a to outside the tank A and there has secured to it an arm E having
in it a slot in which engages the crank pin on the disc F keyed on the shaft"
which is rotated by any suitable motor so as to give a rocking movement to the
said shaft and so effect alternating rising and descending movements of the frames C
and of the trays B2 carried thereby. 9 is a shaft rocking in bearings g³ in the sides
of the tank Å and having radius arms g³ keyed to it the outer ends of which are
connected by pins to lugs on the bottoms of the frames C for the purpose of con-
trolling the motions of the frames as they rise and descend. The tank A may
have a perforated or reticulated false bottom as ath to keep back any material
which may escape from the receptacles and is preferably provided with a gauge (as
at i) to shew the height of liquid therein.
I is a pipe communicating with the tank A and in communication by a four way
cock I with pipes or passages 13 14 15 respectively for the inlet of the degreasing
agent, the outlet thereof, and the outlet of water or cleansing liquid. Instead of
the four-way cock I each of the pipes or passages 13 I' I may be provided with a
separate cock. J is a pipe by which water is admitted to the tank A it terminating
inside the tank by the sprayer j. K are pipes provided with valves by which
any accumulation of vapour can escape it being drawn out by a fan or exhauster in
connection with the pipe K².
The closure of the tank A is effected by the hinged covers A³ provided with
valves a² for the inlet of air when necessary. The covers are kept tightly closed
by the clips a riding over the inclines a' on the covers. When the trays B' are
used they preferably consist of perforated or reticulated boxes provided with covers
which can be held in place by any suitable fastenings such as pins passed through
lugs on the box part, extending through holes in the cover part. The trays when
employed are supported so as to leave a space for the passage of the degreasing and
cleansing agent or liquid between them. This may be done by providing the trays
with legs which rest on the frame in the case of the lowest trays and upon the
cover of the tray beneath in the case of the upper trays.
Vapour of the degreasing and cleansing agents employed may be drawn off by
means of a fan or exhausting device in connection with a passage or pipe opening
into the closed tank. This and the absence of rapidly moving parts likely to
generate sparks renders the apparatus very safe and at the same time prevents the
escape of noxious vapour into the works where the apparatus is used.
The following is the way in which this scourer may be used in degreasing and
scouring wool for example:-(but the apparatus is not limited to the treatment of
wool). The wool to be treated, is carefully "opened" in such a manner as to leave
the fleece as perfect as possible it is then placed in the trays B and the covers
thereof are secured in their places on the trays by means of the pins and eyes or
otherwise. The trays thus loaded, are lifted by means of an overhead tackle, or
otherwise, into their places in the frames C; the lids A2 of the tank are then
closed and secured, the "agent" is then let in and the exhausting fan set to work,

page_text: "
by this means a partial vacuum is produced above the incoming "agent" which
greatly increases the speed of the flow of the agent into the tank quickening the
operation and preventing the escape of noxious vapour from the scourer into the
building in which it may be used. When the "agent" has risen above and
sufficiently covers the wool (as indicated by the gauge) the inlet of the agent is
stopped by closing the inlet passage 13 by means of the cock or valve I' and the
fan also may be stopped The machine is then set in motion for say about half a
minute to one minute, just sufficient time being allowed to enable the "agent" to
pass freely through the wool and dissolve out the grease. The agent carrying the
dissolved grease passes out of the machine and can be received into an outlet tank
from which it can be pumped into an upper tank for re-use. The machine is then
stopped, water is let in from the spray pipe j above the "
agent," the outlet
passage for the "agent" is opened, and any remaining "agent
" and grease
which it has dissolved out of the wool, is allowed to flow into the outlet "agent"
tank. The incoming water by its increasing weight materially hastens the "agent"
out of the "tank" and at the same time prevents any undue evaporation of the
"agent" by preventing its exposure to the air that would otherwise have to be
admitted into the tank as the liquid ran out. When the "agent has been
sufficiently removed (which can be ascertained by noting the discolored "agent"
descend in the gauge-glass i on the tank) the outlet passage 1 for the agent and
the inlet passage J for water or cleansing liquid are closed the machine is again set
in motion and the wool under treatment is subjected to a good washing at full
speed, this washing may be repeated several times according to the nature and
dirtiness of the wool under treatment. A continuous flow of water or cleansing
liquid may be passed through the "tank" but it is preferable to use intermittent
washings using the same water or cleansing liquid over and over again in order to
get the effluent water as dense and rich as possible with the greasy matter and
animal potash in solution, for subsequent treatment and recovery and also to
prevent the waste of bi-sulphide which would arise in consequence of fresh charges
of water absorbing bi-sulphide instead of allowing bi-sulphide to deposit as is the
case in using water which has already taken up as much bi-sulphide as it will hold.
The agent may be used over and over again until it becomes so saturated with
grease as to require distillation a suitable distilling apparatus being provided for
the purpose of recovering the bi-sulphide for re-use.
"
It is preferred to drive the crank disc F alternately in opposite directions instead
of continuously in the same direction.
"
When it is considered that the wool has been sufficiently washed the outlet
passage I³ for the water is opened, and the dirty water is allowed to run into a
"separator." A partial vacuum may also be produced in the "separator" by
connecting it with the exhausting fan which materially hastens the removal of the
water from the " Scourer and at the same time draws any traces of vapour of
the "agent" out of the "scourer." The water with any of the "agent" which
may be with it passes from the "separator" by a suitable pipe into a catch tank,
from whence any remainder of the "agent" can be recovered, for re-use in the
process.
""
The wool under treatment is now sufficiently treated in the "scourer," but,
being still charged with a large quantity of dirt, animal potash, water and other
foreign matter further treatment is resorted to in the extractor as hereinafter
explained.
The action of the "scourer" being stopped the inlet air valves a² in the lids are
opened and the fan or exhauster set in motion and as the last "washings" are let
out, a current of fresh air is drawn through the "scourer" by the action of the fan
or exhauster drawing any vapour of the agent out through the outlet water pipe
into the "separator" thence through the vapour condeuser, by the fan or exhauster
and away above and outside the works or through a scrubber.
The cover or covers of the scourer is or are now unfastened and opened and the
wool is removed.

page_text: The supply of the degreasing or cleansing agent can be kept up automatically
in an upper tank for use in the "scourer" by means of a float and lever rising or
falling in the lower or receiving tank from which the "agent" is pumped and
completing or breaking an electric circuit which energises an electro-magnet which
operates a belt shifter so as to throw the agent pumps in or out of action as
required.
The degreasing and cleansing agents can be electrically or chemically treated
either before or after use for facilitating the degreasing and cleansing and can be
repeatedly used.
The centrifugal apparatus or "extractor" by which the cleansing agent and the
washing water are separated from the material after its treatment in the "scourer"
is preferably one which is constructed as illustrated in the vertical section in
Figure 3 so as to obviate the blocking of the passages for liquid through the
perforations in the revolving basket which occurs when the said basket is supported
by an outer perforated casing parallel with the sides of the basket. With this
object the revolving basket or container consists of the inner wire-work or
reticulated part or basket proper L outside which is a corrugated portion M which
has perforations m in it at the portions which are not in contact with the part L.
Bars N may be arranged at suitable distances apart outside the corrugated portion M
to support the basket and the said corrugated portion. In this arrangement the
material which moves up against the sides of the basket L does not clog the
perforations m in the corrugated portion M as the said material is kept away from
the said perforations by the basket and consequently the liquid and any vapour can
pass freely away through the said perforations.
The construction of this centrifugal machine or extractor may in other respects
be like that described in the Specification of the aforesaid Letters l'atent 1742988
and it may be used in the same way, and any vapour of cleansing agent there may
be present may be drawn from the "extractor by placing the fan or exhauster
described with regard to the "scourer" in connection with the "extractor."
"
The vacuum created by the fan or exhauster will also facilitate the entrance of
the cleansing water as described with regard to the "scourer." The fan or
exhauster may
also be used for ventilating the material under treatment by causing
a current of air to pass through the "extractor" as also described with regard to
the "scourer."
The apparatus by which the washing is effected is illustrated in plan in Figure 4
and in elevation in Figure 5. It consists of rollers P set in pairs at a suitable
distance apart between which passes an endless band or apron Q (which is preferably
of wire-work) on to which the material to be washed is fed preferably by another
endless band or apron as at R. The material on the band or apron Q is squeezed
by the said rollers P as the said band or apron Q passes between them. The rollers
are driven by any suitable motor and are geared together by the wheels p, so that
they all rotate in the proper relative direction. The band or apron R by which
the material is fed on to the other band or apron derives its motion from the same
motor and may be driven by a clutch S which can be operated to give movement
to the said band to feed the material as required. Between the pairs of rollers and
situated above the material carried by the endless band or apron are perforated
pipes T by which the washing water or liquid is sprayed over, and passes through
the material which is squeezed between the rollers. A cleaner or "stripper
may rotate in proximity to the delivery end of the endless band or apron Q to clear
the same effectually.
"
The special object of this machine is to wash the material under treatment (say
wool) in such a manuer as to keep the fibres unentangled and to wash the fleece
so as to remain as nearly whole and unbroken as possible. The action in washing
wool for instance is as follows:-
The wool is carefully spread in a thin layer on the feed band or apron R and
when the said band or apron is covered with wool, the machine is set in motion and
the water or washing liquid is turned on and the wool will pass from the feed
-

page_text: apron R to the washing apron Q, and as it passes under the spray pipes and between
the rollers P, it is subjected to a very efficient washing action, the rollers squeezing
out the water and loosened dirt.
Any number of sets of sprays and pairs of rollers can be used according to the
dirtiness of the material to be washed, and any desired kind of gearing can be used,
to give motion to the parts. An extension or conveyor apron may be added to
the delivery end of the machine to save labour and carry the washed material
to any desired place such as to a hydro-extractor, where it is treated to remove
remaining water.
"The several apparatus can be enclosed and connected to tanks and an uptake as
and for the purposes described in the aforesaid Specification 1742988.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we do not restrict
ourselves to the details of construction hereinbefore described but what we
claim is
1. An apparatus for degreasing scouring and cleansing wool or other materials,
the said apparatus consisting of a tank or vessel in which are supports or containers
for the material to be treated and provided with means whereby a rising and
descending or equivalent vibratory or oscillatory movement can be given to the
said supports or containers in the liquid contained in the tank substantially as
herein before described.
2. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting an apparatus for
degreasing scouring and cleansing wool or other materials substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. An apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claiming clauses com-
bined with an enclosing vapour-proof casing and provided with a passage leading
to a fan or exhauster, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
4. In centrifugal apparatus or extractors for separating liquid from wool, or
other materials a basket consisting of an inner reticulated or perforated part having
outside it a corrugated portion arranged and perforated, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
5. An apparatus for washing wool or other materials, the said apparatus con-
taining rollers and an endless band passing between the said rollers in combination
with means for spraying the washing water or liquid on to and through the material
on the said band substantially as herein before explained.
6. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the apparatus for
washing wool or other materials, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in Figures 4 and of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of April 1892.
THOMAS J. HOPKINS,
G. L. P. EYRE,
By J. H. Johnson & Co.,
Agents.