IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRYING WOOL, COTTON AND OTHER FIBRE "
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Shaw of Huddersfield in the County of York
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRYING WOOL,
COTTON AND OTHER FIBRE "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Shaw at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th February 1882.
JAMES SHAW of Huddersfield in tho County of York IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR DRYING WOOL COTTON AND OTHER FIBRE
This Invention consists in a new combination and arrangement of parts for
drying wool, cotton, and other fibre. For the purpose of carrying out my Invention
I employ an oscillatory inclined sheet or grate onto which the wool or other fibre
is thrown by means of a revolving wheel or travelling apron, the vibration of the
inclined sheet causing the fibre to slide down and drop off the and thereof onto
another oscillatory inclined sheet which is placed at an opposite angle to the one
previously described. The two inclined sheets are placed one above the other the
lower sheet conveying the fibre to the bottom part of the revolving wheel or
travelling apron which carries the fibre to the upper sheet, and so on until the
fibre is sufficiently dry, when a hinged door at the end of the upper sheet is lifted
up and the fibre instead of dropping onto the lower sheet, is dropped onto the floor
or onto a bag or other receptacle placed to receive it.
The oscillatory motion is given to the sheets or grates by means of an eccentric
and rod from the shaft of the revolving wheel, or other well known mechanical
means may be employed for the purpose. The whole of the apparatus is placed in
a chamber supplied with hot air by means of pipes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Shaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th August
1882.
JAMES SHAW of Huddersfield in the County of · York.
APPARATUS FOR DRYING WOOL, COTTON, AND OTHER FIBRE "
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention consists in a new combination and arrangement of parts for
drying wool, cotton and other fibre. For the purpose of carrying out my Invention,
I employ an oscillatory inclined sheet or grate onto which the wool or other fibre
is thrown by means of a revolving wheel or travelling apron, the vibration of the
inclined sheet causing the fibre to slide down and drop off the end thereof onto
another oscillatory inclined slicet which is placed at an opposite angle to the one
previously described. The two inclined sheets are placed one above the other,
the lower sheet conveying the fibre to the bottom part of the revolving wheel or
travelling apron which carries the fibre to the upper sheet, and so on until the
fibre is sufficiently dry, when a hinged door at the end of the upper sheet is lifted
up and the fibre instead of dropping onto the lower sheet, is dropped onto the
floor, or into a bag or other receptacle placed to receive it.
The oscillatory notion is given to the sheets or grates by means of an excentric
and rod from the shaft of the revolving wheel, or other well known mechanical
means may be employed for the purpose. The whole of the apparatus is placed in
a chamber supplied with hot air by means of pipes.
-Such being the nature and object of my Invention I will now proceed to
describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings which is longitudinal-section-of-a-
machine constructed according to my Invention which will be easily understood
by any one acquainted with mechanics. A is a wheel (driven from any convenient
source) provided with spikes B for purposes hereinafter explained. C and D are
perforated sheets or grates placed in inclined positions supported by connecting
rods E from studs F upon which they are capable of rocking to allow for
the oscillatory motion of inclined sheets, which is given to the upper one by
adjustable connecting rod G and slotted face plate H. driven by strap I from
pully on the axis of wheel A. It will be seen that when the fibre is
placed through the door J onto the lower inclined grate D that the oscillatory
motion thereof will cause the said fibre to travel down the opposite end until
it reaches the revolving spiked roller which will catch hold of the fibre and lift
it onto the upper inclined grate C the oscillatory motion of which will cause it
to travel down to the other end and as the upper grate is shorter than the lower
grate the fibre will drop onto the said lower grate to be carried back again and
80 on as many times as it is necessary to dry the fibre. By this arrangement of
mechanism the fibre is continually moving, and its relative positions constantly
interchanging, the oscillatory grates keeping the fibro loose and effectually
preventing it from "caking."
When the fibre is sufficiently dry, a plate is placed at the end of the upper
inclined grate, extending beyond the lower grate as shown in dotted line so that
instead of the fibre dropping thereon, it will drop into a bag or other suitable
receptacle.
The whole of the apparatus is supported by framework K, the internal parts
being covered in by a suitable sheet iron covering.
Hot air is supplied by pipes L air being blown in around the hot pipes escaping
through the openings M.
Instead of using the revolving spiked roller for lifting the fibre from the lower
to the upper inclined grate, an endless travelling apron may be employed. It will

page_text: be seen that a series of sheets may be employed the fibre dropping from one to the
other until it reaches the bottom sheet.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my Invention I would have
it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details herein shewn and
5 described as they may be somewhat varied without departing from the peculiar
feature thereof, but what I claim as my Invention is-
Firstly. The use and employment of the oscillatory inclined grates or sheets C
and D for the purpose substantiaily as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. Tho use and employment of the oscillatory inclined grates in
combination with the revolving spiked roller A or endless travelling apron for the
purpose substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof I the said James Shaw have hereunto set my hand and
seal this First day of August One thousand eight hundred and eighty
two.
JAMES SHAW. (L.S.)