IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN BLEACHING
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Theodore Jacoby and William Jennings, both of
Nottingham, in the County of Nottingham, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN BLEACHING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Theodore Jacoby and
William Jennings at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
4th May 1881.
CHARLES THEODORE JACOBY and WILLIAM JENNINGS, both of Nottingham, in
the County of Nottingham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN
BLEACHING."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus to be used in
bleaching.
In bleaching lace and other fabrics the goods are sometimes placed in lead lined
vessels, and the air is exhausted from the goods before the bleaching liquors are
applied. The vessel is furnished with pipes leading to the air pumps and to vats
containing the chlorine liquor, and the weak acid or sours. Upon these pipes
are valves or cocks.
"
"
In working the apparatus, the goods having been introduced into the vessel, the
cock leading to the air pump should be opened, and should remain open until a
sufficient vacuum has been obtained in the vessel. The connection with the air
pump is then closed, and the chlorine liquor is admitted by opening the valve upon
the pipe leading to the vat in which this liquor is stored. Afterwards the bleaching
vessel is emptied of liquor by opening an air cock upon it, and a vacuum is again
produced within the vessel preparatory to the admission of the "sours" to the
bleaching vessel in the same way.
Now in the working of this apparatus it has been found that from imperfect
closing of the valves or from carelessness on the part of the operatives that the
two, liquors are sometimes drawn up together into the bleaching vessel, injury is
done to the goods, and the liquors are spoilt. Again, in some cases, from the
[Price 6d:l'

page_text: connection with the air pump not being properly closed the liquor is drawn over
from the bleaching vessel into the pumps, and in this manner injury is done.
For the purpose of overcoming these difficulties we make the following arrange-
ments:-
Air valves are provided upon the pipes, by which the liquors enter the bleaching
vessel, and these are connected with the valves by which the liquor is admitted,
so that. the movement of one handle closes the admission valve and opens the air
valve; then even if the admission valve should close imperfectly the liquor
will not be sucked past it, but rather air will enter by the open air valve.
The admission valves are also connected with the cock on the pipe communicating
with the air pumps in such manner that the opening of either of the admission
valves causes the communication with the pumps to be closed.
In place of having air valves upon the suction pipes a second admission valve
may in each case be applied, but the air valve is more certain in its action.
Communication is made between the interior of the bleaching vessel and the
space behind the lead lining. Perforations are formed near the top of the lining,
and short pipes extend up from them into the cover of the bleaching vessel.
A cock is also provided to draw off any liquor which may accumulate in the
space.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Theodore Jacoby & William Jennings in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 3rd November. 1881.
CHARLES THEODORE JACOBY and WILLIAM JENNINGS, both of Nottingham, in
the County of Nottingham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN
BLEACHING."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus to be used in
bleaching.
In bleaching lace and other fabrics the goods are sometimes placed in lead lined
vessels, and the air is exhausted from the goods before the bleaching liquors are
applied. The vessel is furnished with pipes leading to the air pumps and to vats
containing the chlorine liquor and the weak acid or "sours." Upon these pipes
are valves or cocks.
In working the apparatus, the goods having been introduced into the vessel, the
cock leading to the air pump should be opened, and should remain open until a
sufficient vacuum has been obtained in the vessel. The connection with the air
pump is then closed, and the chlorine liquor is admitted by opening the valve upon
the pipe leading to the vat in which this liquor is stored. Afterwards the bleaching
vessel is emptied of liquor by opening an air cock upon it, and a vacuum is again
produced within the vessel preparatory to the admission of the "; sours to the
bleaching vessel in the same way.
""
Now in the working of this apparatus it has been found that from imperfect
closing of the valves or from carelessness on the part of the operatives that the
two liquors are sometimes drawn up together into the bleaching vessel, injury is
done to the goods, and the liquors are spoilt. Again, in some cases from the con-
nection with the air pump not being properly closed the liquor is drawn over from
the bleaching vessel into the pumps, and in this manner injury is done.
For the purpose of overcoming these difficulties we make the following arrange-
ments:-
Air valves are provided upon the pipes, by which the liquors enter the bleaching
vessel, and these are connected with the valves by which the liquor is admitted,
so that the movement of one handle closes the admission valve and opens the air
valve; then even if the admission valve should close imperfectly the liquor will
not be sucked past it, but rather air will enter by the open air valve. The
admission valves are also connected with a cock on the pipe communicating with
the air pumps in such manner that the opening of either of the admission valves
causes the communication with the pumps to be closed.
Communication is made between the interior of the bleaching vessel and the
space behind the lead lining, perforations are formed near the top of the lining.
A cock is also provided to draw off any liquor which may accumulate in the
space.
In order that our said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: allow the air to escape from and enter the clear space D between the lead lining
and the iron kier. Should any liquor overflow through the perforations, the same
can be drawn off through the retention valve or stopcock No. 2, but this can only
occur through inattention of the person in charge. The aforesaid space could be
washed out by admitting water through the perforations, thus preventing corrosion
of the iron. This is an advantage our kier has over other kiers of similar con-
struction. The lead lining is protected by a wood casing E having a perforated
wood false bottom F.
The glass gauge G is for showing the height of the liquor within the kier; it is
'fixed on the side of the kier, and its connection passing through the lead lining C
and wood E; it is also connected at the top of the lid.
The lid is fitted with the usual manhole H and vacuum gauge I.,
No. 3 is one of the liquor stop valves, say that for the chlorine liquor; it is
connected to the pipes A and B, which are attached to the bottom and top of the
kier. The liquor is drawn by the vacuum, and delivered by these pipes under and
over the goods.
No. 4 is our automatic air valve attached to No. 3. From the stop valve No. 3
there descends the liquor suction pipe 5, through which the liquor is drawn out of
the cistern.
No. 6 is a valve by which water can be admitted at the top of the kier.
No. 7 are chains with a handle attached. The chains pass to the end of the stop
valve lever over pulleys, and can be hooked in position when the valve No. 3 is
open. To the same handle another chain is attached, and it passes over pulleys,
and to the end of the air pump safety valve lever No. 8. These parts are so adjusted
that when the suction valve No. 3 is opened, the air pump safety valve No. S is
closed, thereby preventing liquor being drawn over into other kiers or to the
vacuum engine. Thus each kier is made independent.
The pipes, valves, and parts A, B, 3, 4, 5, and 7, seen in the Drawing, relate to
the admission and drawing off of the chlorine liquor. For the acid liquor or
"sours "there is another similar set of pipes, valves, and parts, and a similar
connection with the cock or valve 8.
No. 9 is a vacuum stopcock to retain the vacuum.
No. 10 is an air stop cock for admitting air for letting the liquor down
after use.
The method of working is as follows:-
1st. The goods after boiling in lime, soda ash, &c., and washed, are placed in the
bleaching kier No. 1. A vacuum is now produced by opening the vacuum stop
cock No. 9, and starting the vacuum engine till the desired vacuum is obtained, the
stopcock No. 9 is then closed.
2nd. The stop valve No. 3 to the chlorine liquor suction pipe is now opened to
admit the liquor by drawing down the chain No. 9, the automatic air valve No. 4
at the same time closing, as shown in section. At all other times the automatic.air
valve is open, thus preventing liquor being accidentally drawn when not required.
When sufficient liquor is drawn up the stop valve No. 3 is dropped down, the air
valve No. 4 at the same time opening.
Heretofore it has frequently occurred that the goods have been seriously
damaged or tendered through the mixing of the acid and chlorine liquors, in con-
sequence of the stop valves not fitting air tight, or some material lodging between
the valve and its seating. In the event of this our air valves open, and then when
obtaining a vacuum for raising any other liquor air only could be drawn, and
the imperfection of the valve would be detected by the vacuum not being
obtained.
3rd. The chlorine liquor is drawn out of the kier by opening the air cock 10, and
then the stop valve 3.
4th. The goods are then washed with water by opening the tap No. 6.
Afterwards the water is run off to waste by a cock not shown.
:

page_text: 5th. A vacuum is again produced, and the acid liquor drawn up from the acid
cistern by similar arrangements, as described for the chlorine liquor process.
6th. The acid liquor is let out of the kier back into the receiver.
7th. The goods are again washed as before.
8th. The goods are then taken out of the kier and scoured.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. The admission of air to the liquor suction pipe 5, substantially as
described.
Second. The combination, substantially as described, with the liquor suction
valve 3 and the air valve 4 of automatic mechanism opening the one as it closes
the other.
Third. The application of a safety cock or valve 8 upon the vacuum suction pipe,
and the connection thereof with the suction valve 3, so that the former is closed
when the latter is open, substantially as described.
Fourth. The means by which corrosion is prevented between the iron kier and
the lead lining by providing a valve or stopcock, by which liquor entering the
space behind the lining can be drawn off, and the space washed out, substantially
as described.
Fifth. The arrangement of the pipes, valves, and valve gear, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Theodore Jacoby, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty second day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
CHARLES T. JACOBY. (L.S.)