IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SOAPING, WASHING, OR TREATING WOVEN FABRICS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hawthorn, Peter Hawthorn, and John Pemberton
Liddell, of the Firm of John Hawthorn and Company, of New Mills, in the
County of Derby, Engineers, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR SOAPING, WASHING, OR TREATING WOVEN FABRICS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hawthorn, Peter
Hawthorn, and John Pemberton Liddell at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 16th November 1881.
JOHN HAWTHORN, PETER HAWTHCRN, and JOHN PEMBERTON LIDDELL, of the
Firm of John Hawthorn and Company, of New Mills, in the County of Derby,
Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SOAPING, WASHING, OR TREATING
WOVEN FABRICS."
Our Invention relates principally to the machines employed in the soaping and
washing of prints or piece goods, and has for its object to increase the efficiency
and to reduce the proportions of such machines. In the first place we employ
centrifugal jets to discharge the lye upon the goods in conjunction with revolving
beaters. The beater shaft is hollow and curved, or suitably shaped discharge
pipes are formed on or fixed to the said shaft. Each shaft may carry four beaters
and four sets of pipes, but these numbers may be varied. The cloth is led over
rollers so that it is brought three or any suitable number of times into contact
with the beaters. As the beater shaft revolves the lye which is supplied to the
hollow shaft is discharged on to the cloth, and the heaters act to loosen the dirt.
We also use the same or similar apparatus for the washing or rinsing with water.
In the second place we arrange a number of sets of soaping apparatus in a seini-
circular or curved line, so as to economise space in the machine.
In one arrange-
ment the axes of the beater shafts are arranged partly around a common driving
shaft, and at equal distances therefrom, the carrying and leading rollers being also
arranged partly around the same shaft. The beater shafts and the lending roller
axles are connected by means of gearing with spur wheels on the said common
driving shaft. In the machine we have designed semi-circular frames carry the

page_text: leading rollers, and brackets secured to these frames carry the beaters and the
carrying rollers. This part of our Inventian is applicable in cases wherein other
than our improved soaping beaters are used. In a complete machine constructed
in accordance with our Invention, the goods are first wetted or washed with water
in a cistern fitted with one or more centrefugal washers. The goods then pass to a
cistern which is provided with a number of centrefugal soapers arranged in the
manner just hereinbefore described. The goods then pass to a rinsing cistern
provided with one or more centrefugal washers, and thence to a second soaping
cistern which is also provided with a number of centrefugal soapers. The first
soaping cistern is by preference for economical reasons supplied with the lye
which has first been used in the second cistern. The goods pass from the second
soaping cistern to a rinsing cistern which is similar to the other rinsing and
wetting cisterns. The machine is provided with carrying rollers for passing the
goods down into the body of liquid in the cistern as often as may be considered to
be advisable, and also with five or with a suitable number of sets of squeezing
rollers. We prefer to lift or supply the lye to the beater shafts by means of steamn
ejectors.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Hawthorn, Peter Hawthorn, and John Pemberton Liddell in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th May 1882.
JOHN HAWTHORN, PETER HAWTHORN, and JOHN PEMBERTON LIDDELL, of the
Firm of John Hawthorn and Company, of New Mills, in the County of Derby,
Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SOAPING, WASHING, OR TREATING
WOVEN FABRICS."
new,
Our Invention relates principally to the machines employed in the soaping and
washing of prints or other piece goods, and has for its object to increase the
efficiency and to reduce the proportions of such machines. This we effect by means
of the respective combinations of parts, which as arranged and employed by us are
and effect the several purposes to which they are applied in a more efficient
manner than the apparatus hitherto used. From the description which is herein-
after given in detail of our complete soaping and washing machine, it will be
understood that parts of it are severally employed for the several purposes of
soaping and washing, and may be applied either separately or combined. We
employ in the soaping operation centrifugal jets to discharge the lye upon the
goods in conjunction with revolving beaters. The beater shaft is hollow, and
curved or suitably shaped discharge pipes are formed on or fixed to the said shaft.
The cloth is led over rollers so that it is brought three or any suitable number of
times into contact with the beaters or rubbers. As the beater or rubber shaft
revolves the lye which is supplied to the hollow shaft is discharged on to the cloth,
and the beaters or rubbers act to loosen the dirt. We also arrange in the manner
hereinafter more fully described a number of sets of soaping apparatus in a semi-
circular or curved line so as to economise space in the machine. This part of our
Invention is applicable in cases wherein other than our improved soaping beaters or
rubbers are used. We prefer to lift or supply the lye to the beater or rubber shafts
by means of steam ejectors. We also employ for the washing operation apparatus
consisting of discharging jets and beaters or rubbers similar in construction and
nction to the apparatus used for soaping, as will be hereinafter more fully
described.
In order that our Invention may be more readily and fully understood, we have
attached hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative of a complete soaping and washing
machine constructed in accordance with our Invention, the said Drawings being
made to a scale of about half an inch to the foot, and marked with letters of
reference. Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation; and
Fig. 2 a plan of the machine. In the said Figs. A, B, C, is a tank divided by
partitions a, a, into compartments so as to form a range of cisterns which extend
below the floor line b as is usual. In the example the cistern A is the washing
cistern in which the goods are simply treated with water, B is the soaping cistern,
and C is the rinsing cistern. The several cisterns are fitted with upper and lower
conducting rollers c, c, as is usual, and with ordinary or suitable squeezing rollers
D, D', D. To the cistern A we apply two sets E, E, of our centrifugal jets and
beaters or rubbers. One of these, drawn to a larger scale, is represented in Figs. 3
and 4, wherein e, e, are two curved jet pipes which are cast together so that the
combination can be keyed or secured upon a hollow shaft f. Apertures formed in
the shaft communicate with passages in the jet pipes, as seen in the case of e',
which is represented in section. Several of these double jet pipes are secured at
intervals upon the shaft, as seen in Fig. 4. The jet pipes are adapted to
carry beating or rubbing bars g, g, each alternate double jet pipe being
fixed upon the shaft at right angles to the intermediate pipes, whereby the

page_text: pipes are adapted to carry four beater or rubber bars, as in the case of Fig. 3.
The beater or rubber shaft is caused to revolve rapidly in the indicated direction,
and is supplied with water by means of a pipe h, seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the
mouth of the said pipe being provided with a suitable packed gland in which
the end of the shaft can revolve in a suitably water tight manner.
The
form of the jet pipes may be varied and more than two may be cast or formed
in one part or they may be separately cast or formed, and also less or more than
four beater or rubber bars may be carried by one shaft. The cloth is carried
nearly around the beater or rubber shaft by means of four rollers i, i, which
are so arranged as that the cloth is exposed three times to the action of the beaters
or rubbers and of the jets of water, as will be clearly understood from an inspection
of Fig. 3. We may modify this arrangement and vary the number of rollers so
that the cloth is exposed less or more than three times to the action of the beaters
or rubbers and jets, whilst passing each set E of beaters or rubbers and jet pipes.
The course of the cloth through the machine is indicated by full and dotted lines,
whereby it will be seen that it passes from the cistern A through a pair of
squeezing rollers into the soaping cistern B, wherein it is conducted up and down
in the lye a suitable number of times over the ordinary conducting rollers c, which
may be varied in number as considered to be desirable. The cloth is conducted
upwards from the cistern to the first of four sets J, J, of beaters or rubbers and jet
pipes which are similar to the sets E, E, already described, but are supplied with
lye instead of with water, and are arranged at equal distances from a cental axis
or point in accordance with the second part of our Invention, the said central point
in this case being the axis of a spur-wheel k, which gears with pinions, l', which
arc-secured-upon-the-several-shafts. The said shafts are carried by arched_bearers
on each side of the cistern. One of these bearers m is hollow and serves to supply
lye to the shafts which enter packed glands in the hollow bearer. One end of
this bearer is continued downwards and is connected with an ejector N, which is
supplied with steam by means of a pipe indicated by n. Lye is admitted through
a suitable connection from the cistern to the ejector, and is heated by the steam
and at the same time is lifted to the beater or rubber shafts and by the centrifugal
action of the jet pipes is thrown forcibly against the cloth. We may employ an
ejector and a hollow bearer on each side of the tank so as to supply the lye to both
ends of each beater or rubber shaft. Four rollers are employed to conduct the cloth
nearly around each beater or rubber shaft as in the cases of the washing beaters or
rubbers E, but in the cases of the soaping beaters or rubbers arrangements are
made for imparting positive motion to the two rollers j,j, in each set of four. The
rollers are mounted in bearings which are carried by an arched bearer o, and the
axes of the said rollers are equidistant from the central axis of the wheel k. Upon
the same axis is mounted a second spur-wheel which is seen at p below the wheel k
in Fig. 2, and is indicated by a dotted circle in Fig. 1. This wheel gears with
pinions which are secured upon the axles of the rollers j, j, whereby all the eight
rollers can be rotated in the same direction so as to aid in drawing or conducting
the cloth through the machine. In order that the tension upon the cloth may be
regulated we arrange for the pinions upon the axles of the said rollers to be
removable or to be readily thrown out of gear, so that when the tension is considered
to be too great one or more of the said pinions can be removed or put out of
gear. In practice we secure each pinion by means of a screw, and slide it upon
its axle out of gear when the said screw has been relaxed. It will be seen that the
cloth after being subjected to the action of the first two beaters or rubbers is passed
to and fro in the lye in the cistern before being subjected to the action of the next
two beaters or rubbers. After leaving this part of the machine the cloth is conducted
to and fro through the lye, and is then subjected to the action of another set of
four centrifugal soaping beaters or rubbers J¹, which in the example are in all
respects similar to the beaters or rubbers J, J, already described. The hollow
bearer which sustains the ends of the shafts of the beaters or rubbers J¹ and
supplies them with lye is left out of the Drawings in Fig. 1 in order that the said

page_text: beaters or rubbers, which are represented in section, may be seen more clearly.
The cloth, after being subjected to the action of the four soaping beaters or
rubbers J', is again led up and down through the lye, and is passed through a set
of squeezing rollers D' into the rinsing cistern, wherein it is passed up and down
through the rinsing water, and is further subjected to a centrifugal rinsing beater
or rubber R, which is similar in its construction to the beaters or rubbers E at the
other end of the machine, and is supplied with water by means of a pipe r. The
cloth is led from the cistern through a set of squeezing rollers D2, and is or may be
passed through a suitable drying machine. Steamn for heating the lye is conveyed
into the cistern B by means of pipes 8, 8, but if not considered to be essential these
pipes may be dispensed with, and the ejectors alone be depended upon to maintain
a suitable heat. Any suitable arrangement may be adopted for driving the rollers
and shafts which receive positive motion, but we will describe the arrangement
indicated in the Drawings. A friction pinion t imparts motion to a disc t', which
is fixed upon a cross shaft u. The speed of the said shaft can be varied by sliding
the pinion t upon its shaft, or instead of using the pinion t as a driver the shaft u
may be coupled direct to the motor, and motion imparted therefrom to the pinion t
and shaft so as to drive a further series of machinery. A bevel pinion v, gearing
with the bevel wheels upon two side shafts wand wl, imparts motion to the said
shafts, which are connected by the bevel gearing x, x, with the squeezing rollers,
and by the bevel gearing y, y, with the shafts of the beaters or rubbers E, E and R.
A spur-wheel upon the axle of one of the squeezing rollers in each of the two
sets D, D', is connected by means of an intermediate wheel Z with the aforesaid
spur wheel p, whereby the rollers j,j, receive motion, as herein before mentioned.
A spur wheel a¹, which is fixed upon the shaft u, gears with pinions L, l', which
are fixed upon the shafts of the two beaters or rubbers which constitute the last of
the series J, and the first of the series J'. As the pinions also gear with the central
wheels, these wheels are thereby caused to revolve and actuate the other three
beaters or rubbers in each series, whereby all the eight soaping beaters or rubbers are
caused to revolve in unison. It will be seen that as the cloth is conducted through
the machine the centrifugal soaping beaters or rubbers by their rotation, which should
be sufficiently rapid for the purpose, cause the lye to be discharged with force upon
the cloth, which is acted upon in three different parts by the one revolving beater
or rubber, as herein before inentioned, and it will also be seen that the rubbing
action of the beater or rubber bars follows immediately, so that by the combined
action of the jets of lye and the rubbing action of the beater or rubber bars the
dirt or foreign matter is quickly loosened and discharged. In the example selected
for illustration the cloth would be acted upon by the soaping beaters or rubbers in
twenty-four different places at the same time. By this multiple. action of the
beaters or rubbers combined with the curved or semi-circular arrangement of the
beaters or rubbers we are enabled to shorten the machine considerably as compared
with ordinary machines, or if the machine were made of the ordinary length we
could pass through a greater quantity of cloth in a given time. We may use less
or more than four soaping beaters or rubbers in each series, and we may apply
more than two of the series of such beaters or rubbers, or we may apply only one
series arranged in a curve or seini-circle as indicated; and further, in cases wherein
we do not combine the second part of our Invention with the first, we should arrange
the axles of all the beaters or centrifugal washers, soapers, and rinsers in a straight
line, or adopt any other suitable arrangement. We may employ more than one
soaping cistern, and less or more than three cisterns or compartiments. The term
"lye," herein used for sake of brevity, must be understood to refer to any liquid
which may be used in such a machine in the treatment of woven fabrics. The
second part of our Invention is also applicable in the construction of soaping and
washing machines which are not provided with our combined jet pipes and beaters
or rubbers. In such cases the ordinary beaters or rubbers, or any suitable description
of beaters or rubbers, may be arranged in a semi-circle," that is to say, may be
arranged as set forth and indicated with reference to the beaters J and J. We are

page_text: aware that lye has been pumped through fixed perforated pipes and so discharged
against cloth previously to our Invention, but we do not consider the effect of
such jets to be so beneficial nor so rapidly obtained as in the case of our combined
beaters or rubbers and centrifugal jet-pipes.
Having now fully described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner
in which we carry the same into practical effect, we would have it to be understood
that we claim,—
First. The combination of parts forming complete apparatus for soaping and
washing woven fabrics, arranged and acting substantially as and for the purpose
set forth and as indicated by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The use of hollow revolving shafts provided with pipes which are
carried round with the shafts and discharge lye or liquid on to the cloth with a
centrifugal action, and with rubbers or beaters which rub or beat the same,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth and indicated.
Thirdly. The use of the system of carrying rollers such as is shewn at i, i, and j,j,
in Figures 1 and 3 of the annexed Drawings, whereby the fabric is led nearly
around the revolving liquid discharger and rubber or beater, so as to receive the
action of the jets and rubbers or beaters at three different parts simultaneously,
substantially as described.
And, Lastly. The use of the so termed semi-circular arrangement of the beaters or
rubbers, such as is shewn at m, m, in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings, in the
manner and for the purposes substantially as described and shewn.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Hawthorn, Peter Hawthorn, and John
Pemberton-Liddell,-have-hereunto-set-our-hands-and-seals,this-Fifteenth
day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
eighty-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
in the presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
41, John Dalton St.,
Manchester,
JOHN HAWTHORN.
PETER HAWTHORN.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)
JOHN PEMBERTON LIDDELL. (L.S.)
(Agent for the Patentees.)