IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED " WITH THE CLEANING AND REMOVING OF OILY AND OTHER EXTRANEOUS MATTERS FROM WOOL, COTTON WASTE, OLD TARRED ROPE, CANVAS, AMERICAN CLOTH, AXITY ADDATTE TAGS AXTY OTHED BIDDAUR A ARTVEIT AND VEGETA TIMODULOARARE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Mansfield of Ambler Road Finsbury Park in the
County of Middlesex for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
"
WITH THE CLEANING AND REMOVING OF OILY AND OTHER EXTRANEOUS MATTERS
FROM WOOL, COTTON WASTE, OLD TARRED ROPE, CANVAS, AMERICAN CLOTH,
AXITY
ADDATTE TAGS AXTY OTHED BIDDAUR A ARTVEIT
AND VEGETA TIMODULO
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin Mansfield at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th April 1882.
EDWIN MANSFIELD of Ambler Road, Finsbury Park in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE CLEANING AND REMOVING OF OILY
AND OTHER EXTRANEOUS MATTERS FROM WOOL, COTTON WASTE, OLD TARRED ROPE,
CANVAS, AMERICAN CLOTH AND TARPAULINS AND OTHER FIBROUS ANIMAL AND
VEGETABLE MATERIALS AND FABRICS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
""
According to this invention I treat animal and vegetable fibrous waste and other
materials and fabrics in such manner as to remove oily and other foreign matters
contained therein or adhering thereto by a combined process and machinery all as
hereinafter described, one principal object being to clean, dirty or used cotton
waste so as to render it fit for use again and so that the cleaning agents may be
recovered and used over and over again and so that the oily parts which have
been removed may also if desired be treated so as to be male useful. It is also
specially applicable to the cleansing of raw wool.
I first soak the material to be treated in a cold alkaline solution the strength of
which will be varied according to the nature of the oily or other foreign matters
contained in the material to be treated. The soaking process extends over the
space of some hours. The material is then removed from the vessel or vat and
placed in open boxes in each of which a portion of the material is exposed to the
action of a kind of beaters or kickers having a to and fro motion along but clear

page_text: of the bottom and sides of the box, the beaters are two in number and work in
opposite direction so that while one goes forward the other one goes back, the rods
for working them may pass out through one open end of the box.
I prefer to make the beaters with a slanting end having a lower projecting part
or nose or lip; the action of the beaters being to lift the material each time and
to cause it to fall down so that fresh portions are constantly exposed to the action
of the ends of the beaters; this end of the box is also so curved as to facilitate the
turning over and tumbling of the material which by this operation is also exposed
to a rubbing action of the parts against each other whereby the greasy or other
extraneous matters are loosened; the liquid flows off by preference at the open
end of the box and is collected; after being exposed to the action of the beaters
or kickers the material is removed which may be conveniently done by opening a
hinged side of the box.
The material is next placed in hydro-extractors for the removal of the bulk of
the moisture and is then placed in washing boxes and there exposed to a some.
what similar action as in the aforesaid beating apparatus, only the ends of the
boxes are closed by sliding ends. Water is put into these boxes and when
the rinsing operation is finished, the ends are raised to let the liquor run out.
prefer to give the beaters or kickers a shorter stroke at first and after a short space
of time to lengthen same.
I
I then place the material in hydro-extractors again to remove the bulk of the
moisture and then spread the material over hot boxes by preference formed with
hollow walls for fresh or exhaust steam to circulate through. The material is now
clean and dry but in order to render it soft and pliant that is as regards cotton
waste and similar material, I place it in revolving wire drums wherein the material
is agitated. The wool need not be treated in the revolving drum.
In order to facilitate the process to avoid hand labour, to prevent the material
from being needlessly tangled or handled and to prevent waste of the liquid I
prefer to lift the soaked material by means of a crane or lift with suspended
jointed claw appliance which is let down open then closed round a heap of the
material by pulling a cord connected to the claw, which latter is thereupon by
the left raised and conveys the material to the beater box; by letting go the
pulling cord the material is dropped thereinto. Similar or the same means may
be used for conveying the material to and from the hydro-extractors and the
washer but I prefer to drop the material from the claw into a scoop when removed
from the beater to the hydro-extractor, the scoop being conveyed to the latter and
emptied therein; similarly when the material is removed from the washer.
The alkaline solution having become partly saponified in the above described
process can be used over and over again till it has assumed the form of a thick
and quite saponified substance, which is then exposed to heat, whereby the oily
and similar inatters float to the top where they can be run off or skimmed off,
while the sediments will consist mainly or largely of the alkaline matters which
can then in proper dilution be used again or applied for manure or other purposes.
The oily matters may be used in soap manufacture or for lubricating purposes.

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edwin Mansfield in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th October 1882.
EDWIN MANSFIELD of Ambler Road Finsbury Park in the County of Middlesex
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE CLEANING AND REMOVING OF OILY
AND OTHER EXTRANEOUS MATTERS FROM WOOL, COTTON WASTE, OLD TARRED ROPE,
CANVAS AMERICAN CLOTH AND TARPAULINGS AND OTHER FIBROUS ANIMAL AND
VEGETABLE MATERIALS AND FABRICS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
"
According to this Invention I treat animal and vegetable fibrous waste and other
materials and fabrics in such manner as to remove oily and other foreign matters
contained therein or adhering thereto by a combined process and machinery all as
hereinafter described; one principal object being to clean dirty or used cotton
waste so as to render it fit for use again and so that the cleaning agent may be
recovered and used over and over again and so that the oily parts which have been
removed may also if desired be treated so as to be made useful. It is also
especially applicable to the cleansing of raw wool.
I first soak the material to be treated in a cold alkaline solution the strength of
which will be varied according to the nature of the oily or other foreign matters
contained in the material to be treated.
For treating dirty cotton waste the alkaline solution may consist of soda ash and
unslaked burnt lime in about equal proportions by weight the strength of the
solution being according to the amount and nature of the oil, and may vary
between 6 to 10 degrees Tweddell
For raw wool I may use a strong ammonia solution and sometimes a weak
alkaline solution of 2 or 3 degrees Tweddell according to circumstances.
The soaking process for cotton waste and old tarpaulin extends over the space
of some hours but is much shorter for wool or rags The material is then removed
from the vessel or vat and placed in open boxes in each of which a portion of the
material is exposed to the action of a kind of beaters or kickers having a to and fro
motion along but clear of the bottom and sides of the box; the beaters are two in
number and work in opposite direction so that while one goes forward the other
one goes back, the rods for working them may pass out through one open end of
the box.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a plan and Figure 2 a vertical
longitudinal section through such an apparatus
A is the box and B B the beaters
or kickers one of which is shown in plan section. The mode of driving them may
be by crank shaft C and connecting rods D or in any other suitable manner as for
instance by eccentrics.
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through a box in which the beaters are
worked by levers E which by connecting rods D receive reciprocating motion from
cranks or eccentrics on a shaft F. It is in all cases necessary for the convenient
and expeditious working that the beaters B should be made to disconnect easily
and by preference to be removable altogether so as not to be in the way when fresh
material is to be placed in the box A or treated material is to be removed
therefrom. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the beaters B slide on and are guided
by the guide pieces F which have projections that work in corresponding slots in
the bottom of the beaters B as shown in Figures 1 and 2. I prefer to make the
beaters B with a slanting end as shown having a lower projecting part or nose or
lip at 6 the action of the beaters being to lift the material each time and to cause
it to fall down so that fresh portions are constantly exposed to the actions of the
ends of the beaters; this end of the box is also as shown so curved as to facilitate
the turning over and tumbling of the material which by this operation is also
exposed to a rubbing action of the parts against each other whereby the greasy or
other extraneous matters are loosened; the liquid flows off by preference at the
open end of the box and is collected in a tank G placed below the boxes or

page_text: otherwise; after being exposed to the action of the beaters or kickers B the
material is removed which may be conveniently done by first swinging and lifting
out the beaters B without even detaching them from their connecting rods and then
removing the material by some suitable gripping appliance that may run on rails
overhead or by opening a hinged slide of the box the material may be shovelled out
through that side.
The material is next placed in hydro extractors for the removal of the bulk of
the moisture and is then placed in washing boxes and there exposed to a somewhat
similar action as in the aforesaid beating apparatus only the ends of the boxes are
closed by sliding ends.
Figure 4 is a vertical section through such a washing box A¹ (which however
also especially for smaller quantities to be operated on may be used for the first
beating treatment). It is fitted with two beaters B' and has an aperture at one
end which can be opened or closed by a sliding door H for letting out the liquid
but there is a wire netting I across the aperture for retaining the material operated
on while the liquid strains off. It will be seen that the beaters B' with their
levers E and lever shaft are all made removable for the purpose of conveniently
charging and discharging the cotton waste into and from the apparatus or box A'.
The beaters B may also be worked by connecting rods as in Figures 1 and 2 but
bent over the front end of the box A¹, the door of which could then be made to
slide sideways.
Figure 5 is a cross section and Figure 6 a longitudinal section through a rinsing
apparatus consisting of a tank K containing the water and a drum L made of wire
netting and in two halves hinged together as shown also at Figure 7 where it is
shown open.
The drum L is on the interior provided with projecting teeth M
for to a certain extent taking hold of the material operated on. When the
operation is completed the lid is opened and a board Ñ is laid between the two
halves of the drum, which is then closed and turned half a turn, whereby the
inaterial below the board N will be dropped on to it as shown at Figure 7 and can
be easily removed when opening the lid. In Figure 8 is shown a rinsing vat or
tank K in which a wire net drum or box L consisting of an upper part or rim and
a bottom part made in two hinged halves L' and containing the material to be
rinsed is worked up and down by a rod O. The hinged bottom can be connected
and disconnected by means of a hook L2 at each side when the material is to be
put in or taken out. Water is put into these boxes and when the rinsing operation
is finished, the liquor is run out by a hole in the bottom; the hooks L2 are then
disconnected from the rod O, so that the hinged bottom flaps drop down and the
material drops down on to the bottom of the tanks K. I then raise the rod O so
as to be able to remove the rinsed material. In order to charge the fresh material
into the apparatus I can raise the bottom halves again and hook the hooks L² to
the rod O, and I can then put the material in. The bottom may if desired be
made in one without hinges. The rinsing vessels should have the bottom sloping
towards the middle and towards one end where a lateral opening is provided fitted
with a slide valve as shown at Figure 8 so that the gritty parts may be run off.
The material having thus in this or in any other suitable manner been thoroughly
rinsed I then place the material in hydro extractors again to remove the bulk of
the moisture, and then spread the material over hot boxes by preference formed
with hollow walls for fresh or exhaust steam to circulate through
Figure 9 is a vertical section and Figure 10 a part plan of such a hot box P
made hollow for exhaust or other steam or other hot fluid to enter by a pipe Q
which branches off to one side, a condensed water drain cock being also provided.
The material is spread over the top of it and the moisture therefroin which drains
off is run off by a pipe from the lower gutter like part.
Figure 11 shows a hot box which is heated by a furnace fire, the heat from
which enters the bottom of the hot box by a hole R.
The material is now clean and dry but in order to render it soft and pliant that
is as regards cotton waste and similar material I place it in a revolving wire

page_text: drum wherein the material is agitated. The wool need not be treated in the
revolving drum.
Figure 12 shows a wire drum S for softening the material and at the same time
removing any sand or gritty particles. It is made of wire netting of say about
16 Birmingham Wire Gauge wire and clear mesh spaces between them about
one-eighth inch; it is revolved slowly so as to give the material time to tumble
over and rub against the interior of the drum. T is a hinged cover which is opened
when putting the material in and taking it out.
In some cases I find it advisable to subject the washed cotton waste to a tearing
action for disentangling it and opening it up. Figure 13 shows such a machine
consisting essentially of a drum U which is provided with steel hooks or teeth on
the circumference and which is revolved against a board V that is provided with
steel points so spaced as to pass in between the rows of book teeth on the drum
when the latter is revolved. The material is supplied from an endless feed
apron X to a pair of grooved feed rollers Y which feed it into the space between
the drum U and the board V.
In order to facilitate the process, to avoid hard labour, to prevent the material
from being needlessly tangled or handled and to prevent waste of the liquid I
prefer to lift the soaked material by means of a crane or lift with suspended
jointed claw appliance which is let down open, then closed round a heap of the
material by pulling a cord connected to the claw which latter is thereupon by the
lift raised and I then convey the material to the beater box, by letting go
the pulling cord the material is dropped thereinto. Similar or the same means
may be used for conveying the material to and from the hydro extractors and the
washer but I prefer to drop the material from the claw into a scoop when removed
from the beater to the hydro-extractor the scoop being conveyed to the latter and
emptied therein; similarly when the material is removed from the washer
The alkaline solution having become partly saponified in the above described
process can be used over and over again till it has assumed the form of a thick and
quite saponified substance which is then exposed to heat for instance by steam
direct and in the vessel in which the alkaline solution is prepared whereby the
oily and similar matters float to the top where they can be run off or strained off,
while the sediments will consist mainly or largely of the alkaline matters which
can then in proper dilution be used again or applied for manure or other purposes.
The oily matters may be used in soap manufacture or for lubricating purposes.
I claim
First The combined method of cleaning dirty cotton waste and other fibrous
materials and fabrics consisting in treating same with an alkaline solution and by
a beating or kicking operation for dissolving loosening and rubbing off the dirt,
then removing the surplus moisture, then rinsing the material in water then
removing the moisture by exhaustion and heat and then if required disentangling
and softening the material all substantially as and by the means described.
Second-The construction of the various apparatus when combined and
operating for the purposes set forth and substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Third: The construction of the beating apparatus substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Edwin Mansfield have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty fourth day of October in the year of Our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.