An Improved Method of Treating Cotton Fibres or Masses of Cotton Fibres Preparatory to being Worked Up or Made into Yarn for Weaving or Manufacturing Purposes, Applicable also to Fibres Animal or Vegetable other than Cotton.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1890-Accepted; 14th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Treating Cotton Fibres or Masses of Cotton
Fibres Preparatory to being Worked Up or Made into Yarn for
Weaving or Manufacturing Purposes, Applicable also to Fibres
Animal or Vegetable other than Cotton.
ROBERT SCOTT BURN Consulting Engineer and Member of the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers Oak Lea, Edgeley Road near Stockport Cheshire, I do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This improved method of treating Cotton Fibres has for its object the subjecting of
the fibres or masses of fibres to the action of currents or volumes of air at pressures
varying in amount or degree according to the quality or class of fibres to be treated.
Those currents of air or of aeriform fluids are so applied that in so far as the necessities
of mechanical construction admit the cotton fibres or masses of cotton fibres subjected
to their action, come in contact with or are not driven with more or less concussive
force against any body or substance or bodies or substances harder or of greater
density than themselves. And this improved method of treatment also admits of the
employment of volumes of air or of aeriform fluids at varying temperatures and higher
than the normal or external atmospheric temperature, the temperature of the air or
aeriform fluid, vary according to the class or quality of cotton fibres being treated.
The improved method of treatment also admits of the employment of certain chemical
gases or aeriform fluids for the purpose of effecting certain changes in the character of
the fibres subjected to their action.
"
"
"
The condition in which cotton or cotton wool as it is otherwise termed in the trade
is supplied to or obtained by cotton spinners and manufacturers in order to be
worked up into yarn is well known. To suit the necessities of transportation from
the countries and districts in which it is grown to the ports and districts of the
countries in which it is used for what are known as manufacturing purposes the
cotton wool is packed under great pressure into large bundles called in technical
language "bales." Previous to baleing the cotton as it is taken from the cotton
plants or trees is passed through a process called "ginning" in which a machine
called
ณ gin or cotton gin is employed. The object of this process is partly
to open up the masses of cotton wool or fibres contained within the boll or husk of
the plant and partly to free the fibres from the seeds of the plant which adhere more
or less firmly to the fibres and further to strike or shake out from them such
extraneous substances as sand soil etc. which may from one cause or another have got
mixed with the bolis. and the cotton fibres in the field or in the transport from the
field to the place where the ginning process is carried on. But those objects or
purposes for which the process of "ginning" is gone through are not always or
completely obtained. And it also happens that whether by design or carelessness
the cotton as it is put up and compressed into bales is mixed with a greater or less
weight or quantity of substances such as stones quite extraneous and foreign to the
cotton fibres and this foreign matter intermingled with the fibres gets compressed
or worked up amongst them. Moreover it sometimes happens in practice that the
cotton wool is gathered in the field while the bolls are wet or damp to a greater or
less extent and these damp or wet bolls containing and holding the cotton wool or
fibres are in a condition which resists more or less effectively the tearing asunder
or opening up of the husks and fibres so that the seeds and motes-the latter forming
what in the trade is technically called "leaf" together with what sand etc. is present
in the mass cannot be freely shaken out and passed from the cotton so as to leave the
fibres clean or nearly so. The sand etc. is passed on along with the fibres to the
baleing process where they are forcibly compressed together and put into a condition

page_text: quite antagonistic to the processes through which the fibres are ultimately passed in
the making of yarn.
By the influence and methods above named the fibres as they are delivered at
the mill or factory in place of being in a loose feathery form free and open is formed
when taken from the bales in the form of masses or lumps the fibres of which are
more or less densely compressed together the lumps varying in weight and size and
mixed amongst the fibres in greater or less quantity are foreign substances such.
as have been already named some of which under the very great pressure employed
in the process of baleing have a tendency to crush cut or otherwise injure the cotton
fibres. Whatever the extent to which this influence or tendency may be exerted it
cannot be otherwise than injurious to what is technically called the "staple" and to
the value of the fibres for yarn producing purposes.
The
The cotton fibres in a state or condition more or less compressed or squeezed
together and mixed with foreign or extraneous substances in greater or less quantity
or amount, and made up into bales, on arrival at the mill or factory in which the
fibres have to be worked up into yarn for weaving purposes; are submitted to a
series of processes or operations by which the masses or lumps of fibres are opened
up and the fibres brought into a light loose feathery condition free and open.
general principle upon which those preliminary processes are based or carried out may
be described as one subjecting the fibres to a series of blows or strokes in imitation
more or less perfect of the original or old method of beating or batting" by hand
in which the cotton fibres placed on an elastic surface was subjected to a series of
blows or strokes from a wand or willow held and worked by hand. The machines by
which this beating or opening up process is effected in the modern cotton manu-
facturing system are known generally as Cotton Openers, Blowers or Beaters or
Blowing Machines, Scutchers or Scutching Machines, Willows, Porcupine Openers
and the like.
"
It has long been maintained by many experts in cotton manufacturing industry that
the more gently the fibres are dealt with in the preliminary processes through which
they are passed in preparation for their being spun into yarn, the better will be the
quality of the yarn, the less injured will be the staple or fibre. The physical
characteristics of the fibres of cotton their comparative shortness and lack of the
elasticity which distinguishes other fibres; render thein peculiarly liable to be
injured by rough usage, heavy blows or severe strokes from bodies or substances of
greater or much greater hardness than themselves.
From a due consideration of the characteristics of cotton fibres and the injurious
effects which I maintain them to be of the system of subjecting the fibres to the rough
and harsh treatment such as severe blows or strokes which is as I take it the chief
characteristic of the opening and cleaning processes through which the cotton fibres
are passed in the primary or preliminary processes of cotton yarn production; I base
my system of treating cotton at the primary or preliminary process of opening up and
cleaning from extraneous substances on the principle of avoiding as completely as the
mechanical necessities of the apparatus or appliances used will permit them to be
avoided, the giving of a series of blows or strokes to the fibres by hard unyielding
bodies such as metal bars and the like; and substituting therefore a gentle or com-
paratively gentle opening up and cleaning effect produced on the principle of
subjecting the cotton fibres to the influence of blows or strokes and concussive effects
from substances for the most part no harder or of greater density than themselves.
And in carrying out this general principle on which I base my treatment of the cotton
fibres in the primary or preliminary processes of cotton yarn production-I make the
masses or lumps of cotton in so far as they exist in the samples as taken from the bales
act themselves as agents in opening up the masses or lumps and in setting free the
fibres so as to assume more or less completely the form of light feathery fibres free and
open; and in freeing them from dust, dirt and extraneous or foreign substances.
And this I effect or propose to effect by subjecting in combination with appropriate
mechanical apparatus or appliances varying in design and constructing according to
circumstances and the kind of quality and condition of the cotton fibres to be operated

page_text: 1
.
upon the cotton fibres to the action of currents of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure,
the pressure varying in amount or degree according to the condition in which the
fibres happen to be at the time of treatment and according to the class or quality of
the fibres being treated. Those currents of air or of aeriform fluids may act upon the
cotton either in uniform directions, being admitted to act on the cotton fibres in
one direction only, or in a greater or lesser number of directions opposing and
contrary. And of these two methods I prefer for reasons more fully illustrated
hereafter the method of treating the cotton fibres to the action of more than one
current, the currents acting in opposing and contrary directions.
The treatment of the cotton fibres based on the principle named, and more fully
illustrated hereafter in this Specification, is carried on within and the volumes or
currents of air or of aeriform fluids supplied to the interior of chambers, casings or
receptacles of forms and dimensions and in details of construction varying according
to circumstances and the class or quality of the cotton fibres to be treated. These
chambers are for the most part to be constructed of metal cast iron or wrought iron
but by preference of mild steel. But these chambers, casings or receptacles from the
very nature of, and the metal used in their construction offer or present of necessity
hard unyielding surfaces within their interiors. And the practical result of the
driving up or forcing of the cotton fibres against those surfaces through the action of
the currents or volumes of air or of aeriform fluids forced or driven or passed in at
pressure more or less great in amount or degree, would be somewhat similar to the
result obtained in the processes now generally in use in which the cotton fibres are
subjected to numerous severe and harsh blows from hard metallic bodies revolving or
moving at high speeds.
The effect more less injurious to the natural characteristics of the cotton fibre
or fibres by their being driven up more or less violently against the hard unyielding
interior surfaces of the chambers casings, or receptacles employed in carrying out
my principle of treatment; although comparatively small in amount, believing it to
he antagonistic or contrary to my principle of fibre treatment I endeavour to
minimize as completely as possible by certain devices or modification in construction
of the chambers, casings, or receptacles used in the carrying out of my principle of
treatment. In one of the modes of construction by which I should lessen the effects
as herein before named I propose to employ sheets of corrugated or ribbed metal the
corrugation or ribs forming a series of alternate hollows or cavities and projections
rounded in section, the hollow spaces between any two contiguous projections
favouring the elastic character of such masses or aggregations of fibres as might be
driven up against the corrugations tending to lessen or mitigate the effects of the
concussion. And of the two directions in which the corrugations would run I prefer
that in which they would be parallel to the base of the chamber casing or receptacle
thus forming a species of projecting rings and hollow spaces alternately disposed
running round the interior periphery or surface of the casing or receptacle; this being
bere assumed to be cylindrical or circular in section. The masses or aggregations
of cotton fibres which would be driven up or projected by the action of the currents
of air or aeriform fluids at pressure in the interior of the chamber, casing or recep
tacle against the corrugations round its inner periphery would have any prejudicial
effect caused by the delicate fibres running violently against a hard metallic surface
in some degree lessened by the yielding of the mass or aggregations of fibres as
they were pressed gradually into the hollow spaces between two contiguous projecting
corrugations. But still further to minimize the injurious effect of the cotton fibres
produced by striking more or less violently upon a surface harder than the cotton
fibres themselves l' propose to line or cover the interior surface of the chamber
casing or receptacle with vulcanized india rubber or other strong but soft and elastic
material. If vulcanized india rubber was used I should prefer it to be made as
to give a lining with corrugations for rounded ribs towards the interior of the chamber
or casing or receptacle. The lining to be made while sufficiently strong thin enough
so that the corrugations would yield or give way to any blow sufficiently strong this
tendency to yield acting as a softening or subduing influence to any blow or stroke

page_text: made stronger than usual by a mass of cotton fibres or aggregation of fibres driven
up or projected against the elastic surface.
The form of the chamber casing or receptacle in which the cotton fibres are to
be treated as already named and in the way more fully described hereafter may
be either in section circular, rectangular or elliptical but I prefer the first named
section, the circular. But in place of adapting this section so as to give a cylin-
drical shaped vessel with sides parallel to its ends I prefer as giving the form of
chamber best adapted to my system of treatment of the cotton fibres or masses of
fibres to adapt it to a chamber having the form of a truncated cone of which the
diameter at upper part or top is less than that of the lower part or base. The floor
or bottom of the chamber I propose to make dished upwards so as to give a convex
surface to it towards the interior of chamber but in place of so fitting the floor or
bottom of the chamber that it will lie parallel to the base of the chamber or to the
horizon it should be fitted so that one side will be tilted up forming an angle or line
oblique to the base. This position will facilitate the collecting or gathering
together at one point of the dirt or dust or other extraneous substances which
have been shaken out or passed from the masses or aggregations of the fibres while
under treatment in the interior of the chamber and at or near the lowest point of
floor of chamber a door or trap should be made from or through which the dirt &c. &c.
may be taken from time to time as desired.
The top or as it may be called the cover or ceiling of the chamber cylindrical in
form by preference I propose to make domical or hemi-spherical or a concave
surface towards the interior curve of which will be described with a radius less
than the semi-diameter according to circumstances and the condition or class or
quality of cotton fibres for the treatment of which the chamber is designed. The
interior surface of the cover top or ceiling of chamber to be corrugated or
covered in the same manner with an elastic material as hereinbefore described in
relation to the enclosing side or sides of chamber. At the highest point of cover
an aperture is placed leading to a tube or channel which is to convey the treated
fibres to the place desired or to the machine next in sequence employed in the manu-
facture of yarn from cotton fibres.
The supply or supplies of air or of aeriform fluids used in the treatment of the
cotton fibres, may be obtained by one or other or by a combination of more than
one of the methods well known to engineers or machinists for the obtaining of
volumes of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure. The air or aeriform fluids at
pressure may be passed into the interior of the chamber to act upon the cotton
fibres which are supplied or delivered to the chamber, casing or receptacle in the
manner presently to be described in one of several ways or by a combination of
ways or methods. The air or aeriform fluids may for example be admitted to or
forced into the interior of the chamber through an aperture made at one side of
the chamber placed at a point above the floor, a distance equal to from one fourth to
one third of the full height-internally-of the chamber, casing or receptacle. The
tube or channel leading the air or aeriform fluids at pressure to this aperture at or
near to the point where it joins the aperture may be tilted up or made at an angle so
as to throw or have a tendency to throw or project or pass the current or
volumes of air or of aeriform fluids into the chamber in a slightly upward direction
oblique to the base or the tube may be connected with the aperture in such a
way as to project the currents or volumes of air in a straight direction parallel
to the base. The cotton to be treated is supplied to the chamber from a hopper
placed externally to it, and the aperture through which the cotton passes from the
hopper to conical tube or chamber is placed immediately or almost immediately above
the aperture through which the current or volumes of air are projected or passed into
the chamber; so that as the cotton falls from the hopper it is caught by or
subjected to the. influence and action of the currents of air or of aeriform fluids
forced or passed into and playing with greater or less force in the interior of the
the chamber, casing, or receptacle. A second method of admitting the air or
aeriform fluids to the interior of the chamber to act upon the cotton fibres

page_text: supplied thereto is as follows. The air or aeriform fluids at pressure are delivered
to a pipe tube or channel which encircles or embraces the chamber at a
point at or near to, or a little above its floor or internal base. Communication
between the interior of this pipe tube or channel and that of the chamber is
made by making holes in the side of the vessel leading to interior of pipe, tube
or channel. These holes may be placed at points at varying distances all round
the channel and chamber side, or they may be limited to four, one placed at each
end of two diameters crossing at right angles to each other. There will thus be
four apertures at spaces or points equidistant from each other, each two of which
will be exactly opposite. The air forced or passed into the chamber through these
apertures will pass into the chamber as opposing and contrary directions. The
cotton to be treated may be passed into the chamber through or by means of a
hopper placed at any convenient point externally to the chamber; or it may be
supplied by two or more hoppers placed at different parts of the chamber. In all
cases the hopper should be so placed in relation to one or other of the apertures
through or by which the air or aeriform fluids are passed into the chamber; in such
a way that as the cotton falls from the hopper it meets the current of contrary air or
aeriform fluids. The air or aeriform fluids at pressure may be supplied or admitted
to the interior of the chamber to act upon the cotton fibres under treatment by
another method, in which the principle of creating contrary or opposing currents
of air in the interior of the chamber is carried out. At the opposite ends of a
diameter of the chamber or if preferred or rendered necessary by the peculiarities
of the kind or class of cotton fibres to be treated at the ends of two diameters these
crossing each other at right angles apertures are cut in the wall of the chamber.
These communicate with conical tubes or channels of dimensions varying with the
class of cotton fibres to be treated securely fixed to the exterior wall of chamber.
The small ends of the conical tubes are placed outwards and are connected with the
pipe or tube or pipes or tubes leading the air or aeriform fluids at pressure to the
interior of the conically shaped tube or chamber. Near to the small end and on
the upper side of these conical tubes or chambers, apertures are cut leading to
the interior of hoppers which carry the cotton fibres to be treated and which are
passed through the aperture to the interior of the conical tubes; on entering these
the masses or aggregations of fibres meet the entering currents of air or of aeri-
form fluids at pressure and are by its force projected forward to the large end of
the conical tubes being partially opened up therein and are projected through the
aperture into the interior of the main chamber, casing or receptacle. And will
meet at some point between the two apertures of the conical chambers and the
concussive effects of the collision or striking together of the masses or aggregations
of fibres coming from opposite direction will open up or will have a tendency to
open them up, and while freeing them from contained or carried dust, &c. &c.
tend to present the fibres in a free loose and feathery condition. Still further to
secure this condition in the quickest and most effective way; it might be desirable
in certain conditions of the cotton fibres to extend the time under which the fibres
will be under the action of the currents of air or aeriform fluids when at their greatest
pressure before they expand from the conical pipe into the main chamber. This
would be effected by placing in front of the aperture-at its widest end-of the
conical tube or channel as it leads into the main chamber a species of grating-the
bars of which would arrest for a period the masses or aggregations of fibres and
while arrested would subject them for a longer period to the action of the currents of
vir or of aeriform fluids and tend to pass them finally into the main chamber in a
more thoroughly opened up condition. But the bars of this grating if of metal
would produce or have a tendency to produce the injurious effects on the fibres
already named.
To minimize these injurious effects upon the fibres through coming violently in
contact with the hard metallic bodies of metal grating. I propose to partially bar
the exit aperture of the conical tube or chamber keeping the cotton fibres for a

page_text: longer time under the action of the currents of air or of aeriform fluids while these
are at their highest pressure by placing strips of vulcanized india rubber across the
aperture these being fixed to or hung or suspended from the tube or channel in
such a way that when at rest a series of narrow slits or openings would be formed
but which under the pressure of air or of the fibres of cotton would give way and
yielding would enlarge the orifices so as to admit of the easier passage of the fibres
into the main chamber-and which strips from the elastricity thus given them
would soften the harshness of the blow which would be given to the cotton fibres by-
being blown or projected against them. Or in place of filling in the space of
aperture of conical tube or channel with strips of vulcanized india rubber giving an
elastic or yielding form of grid or grating, I would stretch across the widest end or
opening of the conical tube or channel, & sheet of thinnish elastic vulcanized india
rubber and this would be pierced with apertures or mouths projecting from the
general surface of the sheet, at the side or surface next the interior of main chamber-
the orifice of such openings or mouths towards the interior of chamber, would be of
less diameter than that at inner or conical tube side or surface of the sheet. This
conical form given to the mouth will give a certain degree of elasticity which will
cause the mouths under pressure of fibres or masses of fibres passing through them
to yield or give way, thus extending will afford a wider and easier passage for the
fibres into the main chamber. By these devices all the advantages of a metal grid or
grating will be secured without any of its disadvantages or with those greatly if not
absolutely minimized.
As the currents of air or of aeriform fluids will take the line of least resistance
there will thus be created a tendency in them to flow toward the outlet aperture and
channel at roof top or ceiling of the chamber, casing, or receptacle. The currents
will carry with them greater or less weights and masses of cotton fibres, but by the
force of gravitation these masses will have a tendency to drop towards the bottom or
floor of the chamber--and those obeying this tendency will drop or so far drop coming
thus again under the influence of the currents of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure.
This combination of the effects of physical laws as that of gravitation of inertia and
of the phenomena of motion and momentum with the currents of air or of aeriform
fluids at pressure will all have the tendency to open up the masses or aggregations of
cotton fibres and leave them in a free feathery condition more or less decided or
pronounced to be passed away from the interior of the chamber, by the channel or
tube provided at its top, cover, or ceiling. In some cases according to the condition
or class or kind of cotton fibre to be treated it may be conducive to the final result
aimed at, to apply to the outlet a delivery channel or tube a special current or
currents of air at pressure. This supplementary supply of air or of aeriform fluids
may be by means of a special fan or blower, or a special current may be led from
the appliance or apparatus by which the supplies of air or of aeriform fluids are
obtained for the main chamber processes.
The amount, degree, or rate of pressure at which the air or aeriform fluids are
employed in my system of treating cotton will depend upon circumstances the con-
dition the class or kind of cotton fibres to be treated &c. &c. In the first instance
in commencing the process of treatment the pressure will be at the highest and this
according to circumstances may be at a pressure of several atmospheres-but as the
process of treatment goes on and the masses or aggregations of fibres get more and
more opened up and changed into a light feathery free and open condition the
pressure may be gradually reduced until at the conclusion of the process the currents
of air or of aeriform fluids may be gentle sufficient only to carry by or project through
the exit channel the treated cotton, leaving the dust dirt &c. &c. within the chamber
collected by and the floor already described. In some cases in place of beginning
and completing the process of treatment of the cotton fibres in one and the same
chamber, it may be found to be the most economical and efficient system to treat the
fibres in a succession of chambers. The regulation of the pressures and volumes of
air passed into the main chamber, casing or receptacle in any given or definite period

page_text: of time will be secured by one or other of the methods familiar to experts in
mechanical work or may be designed specially to meet the peculiar circumstances
under which the process is carried out.
The nature or physical and chemical characteristics of the air or aeriform fluids I
employed in my system of cotton fibre treatment will vary with the varying condi-
tions of the fibres to be treated, or with the effects which it may be desirable to
produce. Thus in the employment of ordinary or atmospheric air while for the most
part it would be employed at its usual or normal atmospheric temperature, or in
other conditions of working the cotton fibre it might be desirable to use for the
treatment of the cotton fibres air heated to a certain degree of temperature such as
might be considered most advantageous to meet the peculiar condition of the cotton
fibres under treatment-or proposed treatment. And from a close study of the con-
dition in which the cotton fibres are sometimes taken from the bales, I conceive that it
would in some instances be advantageous in the first instance to submit the cotton
fibres to the action of currents or volumes of aeriform fluid in the form known as
steam and this at high pressure the pressure varying according to the peculiar con-
dition of the cotton fibres-this steam I should prefer to be dry or superheated.
The loose opened up condition of the cotton fibres which would be the general or
normal result of my system of treating cotton fibres with currents or volumes of air
or aeriform fluids at pressure give great facilities for the employment of certain
gases or aeriform fluids which might be required to produce certain chemical changes
or effects in the fibres-as for example by the use of a gas or of gases which might
exercise what is known as a bleaching or whitening and purifying effect on the fibres.
The light and feathery open condition of the fibres would obviously greatly facilitate
the action of the gas or gases upon the fibres as they would be much more freely
exposed to that action than when in a more dense compacted state. The appliances
and apparatus employed for the production and the application of bodies or volumes
of such gases as might be required to produce certain effects upon the cotton fibres
would in design and construction depend upon circumstances and would be based on
methods and devices well known to machinists generally.
As witness my hand this Fifteenth day of June 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Treating Cotton Fibres or Masses of Cotton
Fibres Preparatory to being Worked Up or Made into Yarn for
Weaving or Manufacturing Purposes, Applicable also to Fibres
Animal or Vegetable other than Cotton.
ROBERT SCOTT BURN Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Oak
Lea Edgeley Road near Stockport, Cheshire, I 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 improved method of treating cotton fibres has for its object the subjecting of
fibres or masses of fibres more or less compressed to the action of currents of air or of
aeriform fluids at pressure varying in amount or degree according to the quality or
class of fibres to be treated those currents of air are so applied that in so far as the
necessities of mechanical construction will admit the cotton fibres or masses of fibres
subjected to their action come in contact with or are not driven with more or less
concussive force against any substance or bodies harder or of greater density than
themselves. And this improved method of treatment also admits of the employment
of volumes or currents of air or of aeriform fluids at higher than the normal or
natural temperatures of the atmosphere the temperature of the air or of the aeriform
fluids varying according to the class or quality of the cotton fibres being treated.
This improved method of treatment admits also of the employment of certain chemical
gases or aeriform fluids for the purpose of affecting certain chemical changes in the
character of the fibres subjected to their action. What 1 claim in connection with

page_text: this improved method of treatment of cotton fibres or masses of cotton fibres is as
follows (1) The treatment of cotton fibres or masses of cotton fibres or of fibres other
than cotton by the employment of currents or volumes of air or of aeriform fluids at
pressure. The direction of the currents and the amount or degree of the pressure
varying according to the condition or the class or quality of the fibres or the
circumstances of working. This treatment to be carried on within certain chambers
casings or receptacles and the object of which treatment by the use of sometimes direct
sometimes by opposing and contrary currents of air or of aeriforni fluids at pressure
is the opening up and cleaning of masses or aggregations of cotton fibres in such a
way as to present the fibres in a light feathery free or open freed or comparatively
freed from the dust dirt or substances foreign to the fibres (2) The application to my
system of treating cotton fibres with currents of air or of neriform 'fluids other than
atmospheric such as a gas or of gases the nature and constituents of which aro
calculated to produce certain chemical effects such as whitening bleaching and
purifying or of producing certain chemical changes in the colour or character of the
cotton fibres. (3) I claim also in carrying out my system of treating cotton fibres
and masses of cotton fibres the application of currents or volumes of atmospheric air
heated or raised in temperature above the ordinary or usual temperature of the
surrounding atmosphere for the time being the amount or degree of temperature of
the air so heated varying with the condition the class or quality of the cotton fibres to
be treated.
"
The condition in which cotton or cotton wool as it is otherwise termed in the trade
is supplied to or obtained by cotton spinners and manufacturers in order to be worked
up in yarn is well known. To suit the necessities of transportation from the countries
and districts in which it is grown to the ports & districts of the countries in which it
is used for what are known as manufacturing purposes the cotton wool is packed under
great pressure into large bundles called in technical language "bales." Previous to
baleing the cotton as it is taken from the cotton plants or trees is passed through a
process called "ginning" in which a machine called a
*
gin" or cotton gin" is
employed. The object of this process is partly to open up the masses of cotton wool or
fibres contained within the boll or husk of the plant and partly to free the fibres from
the seeds of the plant which adhere more or less firmly to the fibres or further to
strike or shake out from them such extraneous substances as sand, soil etc. which may
from one cause or another have got mixed with the bolts and the cotton fibres in the
field or in the transport from the field to the place where the ginning process is
carried on. But those objects or purposes for which the process of "ginning" is
gone through are not always or completely obtained. And it also happens that
whether by design or carelessness the cotton as it is put up and compressed into bales
is mixed with a greater or less weight or quantity of substances such as stones quite
extraneous & foreign to the cotton fibres and this foreign matter intermingled with
the fibres gets compressed or worked up amongst them. Moreover it sometimes
happens in practice that the cotton wool is gathered in the field while the bolls are
wet or damp to a greater or less extent and these damp or wet bolls containing and
holding the cotton wool or fibres are in a condition which resists more or less
effectively the tearing asunder or opening up of the husks & fibres so that the seeds
& motes the latter forming what in the trade is technically called "leaf" together
with what sand etc. is present in the mass cannot be freely shaken out & passed from
the cotton so as to leave the fibres clean or nearly so. The sand etc. is passed on
along with the fibres to the baleing process where they are forcibly compressed
together and put into a condition quite antagonistic to the processes through which
the fibres are ultimately passed in the making of yarn.
By the influences and methods above named the fibres as they are delivered at the
mill or factory in place of being in a loose feathery form free and open are found
when taken from the bales in the form of masses or lumps the fibres of which are
more or less densely compressed together the lumps varying in weight and size &
mixed amongst the fibres in greater or less quantity are foreign substances such as
have been already named some of which under the very great pressure employed in

page_text: the process of baleing have a tendency to crush cut or otherwise injure the cotton
fibres. Whatever the extent to which this influence or tendency may be exerted it
cannot be otherwise than injurious to what is technically called the "staple" & to
the value of the fibres for yarn producing purposes.
The cotton fibres in a state or condition more or less compressed or squeezed
together and mixed with foreign or extraneous substances in greater or less quantity
or. amount, and made up into bales, on arrival at the mill or factory in which the
fibres have to be worked up into yarn for weaving purposes; are submitted to a series
of processes or operations by which the masses or lumps of fibres are opened up, and
the fibres brought into a light loose feathery condition free and open. The general
principle upon which those preliminary processes are based or carried out may be
described as the subjecting the libres to a series of blows or strokes in imitation more
or less perfect of the original or old method of beating or batting by hand in which
the cotton fibres placed on an elastic surface was subjected to a series of blows or
strokes from a wand or willow held and worked by hand. The machines by which this
beating or opening up process is effected in the modern cotton manufacturing system
are known generally as Cotton Openers-Blowers-or Beaters or Blowing Machines-
Scutchers or Scatching Machines-Willows-Porcupine openers and the like.
It has long been maintained by many experts in cotton manufacturing industry
that the more gently the fibres are dealt with in the preliminary processes through
which they are passed in preparation for being spun into yarn; the better will be the
quality of the yarn, the less injured will be the staple or fibre. The physical charac-
teristics of the fibres of cotton their comparative shortness and lack of the elasticity
which distinguishes other fibres; render them peculiarly liable to be injured by rough
usage, heavy blows or severe strokes from bodies or substances of greater or much
greater hardness than themselves.
From a due consideration of the characteristics of cotton fibres, and the injurious
effects which I maintain them to be of the system of subjecting the fibres to the rough
and harsh treatment such as severe blows or strokes which is as I take it the chief
characteristic of the opening and cleaning processes through which the cotton fibres
are passed in the primary or preliminary processes of cotton yarn production; I base
my system of treating cotton at the primary or proliminary process of opening up and
cleaning from extraneous substances, on the principle of avoiding as completely as
the mechanical necessities of the apparatus or appliances used will permit them to be
avoided the giving of a series of blows or strokes to the fibres and by hard unyielding
bodies such as metal bars, and the like, and substituting therefore a gentle or com-
paratively gentle opening up and cleaning effect produced on the principle of
subjecting the cotton fibres to the influences of blows or strokes and concussive effects
from substances for the most part no harder or of greater density than themselves.
And in carrying out this general principle on which I base my treatment of the
cotton fibres in the primary or preliminary processes of cotton yarn production I
make the masses or lumps of cotton in so far as they exist in the samples as taken
from the bales act themselves as agents in opening up the masses or lumps and in
setting free the fibres so as to assume more or less completely the form of light
feathery fibres free and open; and in freeing them from dust, dirt and extraneous or
foreign substances. And this I effect or propose to effect by subjecting in combina-
tion with appropriate mechanical apparatus or appliances varying in design and
construction according to circumstances and the kind or quality and condition of the
cotton fibres to be operated upon the cotton fibres to the action of currents of air or of
aeriform fluids at pressure the pressure varying in amount or degree according to the
condition in which the fibres happen to be at the time of treatment and according to
the class or quality of the fibres being treated. Those currents of air or of aeriform
fluids may act upon the cotton either in a uniform direction being admitted to act
on the cotton fibres in one direction only, or in a greater or lesser number of directions,
opposing, and contrary. And of those two methods I prefer for reasons more fully
illustrated or indicated hereafter the method of treating the cotton fibres to the action
of more than one current, the currents acting in opposing and contrary directions.
B

page_text: The treatment of the cotton fibres based on the principle named, and more fully
illustrated or indicated hereafter in this Specification is carried on within and the
volumes or currents of air or of aeriform flnids supplied to the interior of chambers,
casings, or receptacles of forms and dimensions and in details of construction varying
according to circumstances and the class or quality of the cotton fibres to be treated.
These chambers are for the most part to be constructed of metal cast iron or wrought
iron but by preference of mild steel. But these chambers, casings, or receptacles
from the very nature of, and the metal used in their construction offer or present
of necessity hard unyielding surfaces within their interiors. And the practical
result of the driving up or forcing of the cotton fibres against those surfaces through
the action of the currents or volumes of air or of aeriform fluids forced or driven or
passed in at pressure more or less great in amount or degree, would be somewhat
similar to the result obtained in the processes now generally in use in which the cotton
fibres are subjected to numerous severe and harsh blows from hard metallic bodies
revolving or moving at high speeds.
The effect, more or less injurious to the natural characteristics of the cotton fibres,
induced by them being driven up more or less violently against the hard unyielding
interior surfaces of the chambers, casings, or receptacles employed in carrying out
my principle of treatment; although comparatively small in amount, believing it to
be antagonistic or contrary to my principle of fibre treatment-I propose to minimize
as completely as possible by certain devices or modifications in construction of the
chambers, casings or receptacles used in the carrying out of my principle of treatment.
In one of the modes of construction by which I should lessen the effects as herein-
before named, I propose to employ sheets of corrugated or ribbed metal the corrugation
or ribs forming a series of alternate hollows or cavities and projections rounded in
section, the hollow spaces between any two contiguous projections favouring the
elastic character of such masses or aggregations of fibres as might be driven up
against the corrugations tending to lessen or mitigate the effect of the concussion.
And of the two directions in which the corrugations would run I prefer that in which
they would be parallel to the base of the chamber, casing or receptacle-this forming
a species of projecting rings and hollow spaces alternately disposed round the interior
periphery or surface of the casing or receptacle; this being here assumed to be
circular in section. The masses or aggregations of cotton fibres which would be
driven up or projected by the action of the currents of air or aeriform fluids at pressure
in the interior of the chamber, casing, or receptacle against the corrugations round its
inner periphery would have any prejudicial effect caused by the delicate fibres coming
violently against a hard metallic surface in some degree lessened by the yielding of
the mass or aggregations of fibres as they were pressed gradually into the hollow
spaces between two contiguous projecting corrugations. But still further to minimize
the injurious effect of the cotton fibres produced by striking more or less violently
upon a surface harder than the cotton fibres themselves I propose in some cases and
with certain qualities or classes of cotton to line or cover the interior surface of the
chamber, casing or receptacle with vulcanized india rubber or other strong but soft
and elastic material. If vulcanized india rubber was used I should prefer it to be so
made as to give a lining with corrugations or rounded ribs towards the interior of the
chamber, or casing or receptacle. The lining to be made while sufficiently strong,
thin enough so that the corrugations would yield or give way to any blow sufficiently
strong this tendency to yield acting as a softening or subduing influence to any blow
or stroke made stronger than usual by a mass of cotton fibres or aggregations of fibres
driven up or projected against the elastic surface.
I however think it right to mention that under certain conditions of the cotton
fibres and of certain circumstances of working; the corrugated metal lining, or the
lining of soft elastic material just above named, may be dispensed with. And thus
inasmuch as in the opinion of some experts in cotton treatment for manufacturing
purposes, cotton fibres while undergoing the process of preliminary opening up and
cleaning do not as a rule receive damage by being projected violently or by striking
with force against surfaces or substances harder or of greater density than themselves;

page_text: the injury being done by being struck with a rapidly revolving beater or scutcher ba
and this while the fibres are held fast by the feed rollers. Nevertheless and notwith
standing this opinion of experts, I prefer in my system of working to minimize as far
as possible all action which may be antagonistic to the maintenance of the natural
staple of the cotton fibres-as blows received by projecting them with force against
substances and surfaces harder than themselves-appear to me to be antagonistic.-
Honce I prefer to have the interior of the chamber in which my system of treatment
is carried on lined or prepared as described above.
The form of the chamber, casing or receptacle in which the cotton fibres are to be
treated as already named and in the way more fully described hereafter may be
either in section circular, rectangular or illiptical but I prefer the first named section
the circular. But in place of adapting this section so as to give a cylindrical shaped
vessel with sides perpendicular to its ends. I prefer as giving the form of chamber
best adapted to my system of treatment of the cotton fibres or masses of fibres to
adapt it to a chamber having the form of a truncated cone of which the diameter at
upper part or top a is less than that of the lower part or base c d as shown in fig. 1
Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings. The floor or bottom of the chamber may be
made dished upwards so as to give a convex surface to it towards the interior of
chamber or it may be made right lined or straight as shown in fig. 1 Sheet 1 at line e f
but in place of so fitting the floor or bottom of the chamber that it will be parallel to
the base of the chamber or to the horizon it should be fitted so that one side will be
tilted up forming an angle or line oblique to the base as shown at ef fig. 1, Sheet 1 of
accompanying Drawings and at a' fig. 7. This position will facilitate the collecting
or gathering together at one point of the dirt or dust or other extraneous substances
which have been shaken out or passed from the masses or aggregations of the fibres
while under treatment in the interior of the chamber-and at or near the lowest point
of floor of chamber a door or trap as at or in fig 4 Sheet 1 of accompanying Drawings
which is part of an apparatus should be made from or through which the dirt &c. &c.
may be taken from time to time as desired.
The top or as it may be called the cover or ceiling of the chamber circular in
section by preference I propose to make domical or hemispherical or with a concave
surface towards the interior; curve of which will be described with a radius varying
according to circumstances and the condition or class or quailty of cotton fibres for
the treatment of which the chamber is designed. The interior surface of the cover,
top, or ceiling of chamber shown at g g fig. 1 Sheet 1 I prefer to be corrugated or
covered in the same manner with an elastic material as hereinbefore described in
relation to the enclosing side or sides of chamber but it may be made plain surfaced
as shown at g g fig. 1 Sheet 1. At the highest point of cover an aperture is placed
leading to a tube or channel fig. 1 Sheet 1 of accompanying drawings which is to
convey the treated fibres to the place destined or to that machine next in sequence
employed in the manufactures of yarn from cotton fibres.
The supply or supplies of air or of aeriform fluids used in the treatment of the
cotton fibres in my system may be obtained by one or other or by a combination of
more than one of the methods well known to engineers or machinists for the obtain-
ing of volumes of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure. The air or aeriform fluid at
pressure may be passed into the interior of the chamber to act upon the cotton fibres
which are supplied or delivered to the chambers casings or receptacles in the manner
presently to be described or in one of the several ways open to the machinist or by a
combination of ways or methods as may be deemed best for the condition of the cotton
which is to be treated. The general arrangement of one form of apparatus which may
be used to carry out my process of treating cotton as illustrated in Fig. 1 Sheet 1 of
accompanying drawings which is a vertical section on the line jj figure 2 which is a
half plan. In this form of the apparatus several parts of which have been already
described the air at pressure is passed into the chamber by the pipes and nozzles jj
at four points each point being at the end of diameters crossing at right angles to
each other the nozzles entering the hoppers ii which contain the rough cotton from
the bale to be operated upon.

page_text: The condition in which the cotton fibres are at the time they are being subjected to the
process will largely influence the method on which the apparatus will be worked the
pressure at which the air is used the period during which the fires are subjected to
it etc. etc. One method may be named as illustrative of the way in which the process
may be carried out.
At first starting the valve Fig. 1 Sheet 1 on the outlet or
delivery pipe h is closed the hoppers ii being previously charged with the cotton.
The stop valve not shown in the drawing on the pipes jj are then opened gradually
till the full pressure is attained. When the process of treatment has been in operation
sufficiently long in the judgment of the attendant-the time obviously being
dependent upon the condition in which the masses of cotton fibres are-to admit of
the fibres being thoroughly opened up and cleaned the door or trap a Fig. 5 which is
part of an apparatus hereafter described may be opened and a portion of the mass
taken out for examination. If the attendant judges that the process has been continued
long enough the stop valves on pipes jj Fig. I are closed so that only comparatively
gentle currents of air are projected into the interior of the main chamber m m Fig. 1
sufficiently strong to pass the cotton contained in it on to the outlet or delivery
pipe hh the valve is then opened full and the cotton will then be passed along the
delivery pipe in the direction of the arrow n to the point of final deposit. The passing
away of the cotton from the chamber may be expedited by using a blast of air at
pressure through the agency of the injector pipe the action of which will have the
tendency to free the cotton from any dust or extraneous substance which may be still
connected with it as it passes along the delivery pipe hh. On the main chamber mm
being emptied of the opened up fibres the leaf dust etc. which have been shaken out
so to say from the cotton should be withdrawn from the chamber by the trap or door
as at a Fig. 4 Sheet 1 which will then be ready for a fresh charge of cotton to be
opened up and cleaned the valve on delivery pipe hh Fig. 1 being closed before
the
stop valves on the air pressure pipes jj are opened.
Various methods may be adopted to form the connection between the hoppers
which are to supply the cotton to be operated upon and the nozzles of the pipes by
which the air at pressure is supplied to act upon the fibres passing them from the
hoppers into the chamber in which it acts upon them. One method is illustrated in
Fig. 5 Sheet 1 in which the cotton is placed in the hopper ee delivering its contents
to the conical receiver supported by the bracket cf. The nozzle of the air
pressure pipe a passes through the end of the receiver band the cotton as it descends
from hopper ee meets the blast or current of air at pressure from supply pipe a and is
projected with greater or less force into the chamber on the side d'd. Another
method is illustrated in Fig. 3 Sheet 1 the hopper bb being fixed to the side e e the
cotton contained in it being blown so to say out of it through the opening e and into
the inner chamber e e by the blast of air issuing from the nozzle d of the air pressure
pipe this being placed immediately below the opening c. The nozzle dis canted
upwards so as to throw the current or blast of air at pressure in an upward direction.
In Fig. 5 the air pressure pipe a is placed so as to throw the air in a horizontal
direction as at arrow b. In place of admitting the blasts or currents of air at pressure
into the interior of main chamber as at m m Fig. 1 Sheet 1 at four points giving four
currents the air may still be further sub-divided so as to present a greater number of
entering points producing a wider variety of currents. One method of carrying out
this principle is illustrated in Fig. 6 and 7 Sheet 1. In this a semi-circular tube or
channel a aa a is carried round the inner chamber bb Fig. 6 one side of this channel
being formed by the side of the chamber. The inner side of channel a a is provided
with one or two or more rows of small apertures forming connection between the
interior e e Fig. 7 of main chamber and interior of channel or semi-circular tube a a
Figs. 6 and 7. The air at pressure if supplied to the interior of channel a a Figs, 6
and 7 by the nozzles c d e f Fig. 6 apertures being cut out of side of chamber at these
points to admit the air at pressure from pipes c d e f Fig. 6. As this arrangement
diffuses so to say the air it will have a tendency to lessen the pressure of entering
currents as acting upon the cotton thus weakening their opening up powers on the
cotton. Air therefore of a greater initial or primary pressure may therefore require

page_text: to be used in this arrangement than with that shown in Fig. 1 or illustrated in part
at Figs. 3 and 4. Or this arrangement in Figs. 6 and 7 may be used in combination
with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as supplementary thereto.
In the working of the apparatus such as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1 of
the accompanying drawings the concussive effects of the collision or striking together
of the masses or aggregations of fibres under the influence of the air at pressure
coming from opposite directions will open up or will have a tendency to open them
up, and while freeing them from contained or carried leaf dust &c. &c. tend to present
the fibres in a free loose and feathery condition. Still further to secure this condition
in the quickest and most effective way, it might where the method connecting the
hopper and chamber as illustrated in fig. 5 Sheet 1 is adopted be desirable in certain
conditions of the cotton fibres to extend the time under which the fibres will be under
the action of the currents of air or aeriform fluids when at their greatest pressure
before they are expelled from the conical pipe into the main chamber. This would
be effected by placing in front of the aperture at its widest end-of the conical
tube or channel bb fig. 5 Sheet 1 as it leads into the main chamber at dd a species
of grating the bars of which would arrest for a period the masses or aggregations of
fibres and while arrested would subject them for a longer period to the action of the
currents of air or of aeriform fluids and tend to pass them finally into the main
chamber in a more or less thorougly opened up condition.
As the currents of air or of aeriform fluids will take the line of least resistance there
will thus be created a tendency in them to flow towards the roof, top, or ceiling of the
chamber, casing, or receptacle. The currents will carry with them greater or less
weights and masses of cotton fibres, but by the force of gravitation these masses will
have a tendency to drop towards the bottom or floor of the chamber, and those
obeying this tendency will drop or so far drop coming thus again under the influence
of the currents of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure. This combination of the effects
of physicial laws as that of gravitation and of inertia and of the phenomena of motion &
momentum with the currents of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure will have the
tendency to open up the masses or aggregations of cotton fibres and leave them in a
free feathery condition more or less decided or pronounced to be passed away as in
the method of working already described from the interior of the chamber by the
channel or tube fig. 1 Plate 1 provided at its top, cover or ceiling 9 g.
In some
cases according to the condition or class or kind of cotton fibre to be treated it may
be conducive to the final result aimed at to apply as noted in the already described
method of working the apparatas to the outlet or final delivery channel or tube a
special current or currents of air at pressure. This supplementary supply of air or of
aeriform fluids may be by means of a special fan or blower; or a special current may
be led from the appliance or apparatus by which the supplies of air or of aeriform
fluids are obtained for the chamber interior process or processes, as by the injector
pipe fig. 1 Sheet 1.
The amount or degree or rate of pressure at which the air or aeriform fluids are
employed in my system of treating cotton will depend upon circumstances, the
condition the class or kind of cotton fibres to be treated &c. &c. In the first instance
in commencing the process of treatment the pressure will be at the highest and this
according to circumstances may be at a pressure of several atmospheres-but as the
process of treatment goes on and the masses or aggregations of fibres get more &
more opened up and changed into a light feathery free and open condition the
pressure may be gradually reduced until at the conclusion of the process the currents
of air or of aeriform fluids may be gentle sufficient only to carry away by or project
through the exit channel the treated cotton, leaving the dust, dirt &c. within the
chamber collected on the floor already described. In some cases in place of beginning
and completing the process of treatment of the cotton fibres in one and the same
chamber, it may be found to be the most economical and efficient system to treat
the fibres in a succession of chambers. The regulation of the pressures and volumes
of air passed into the main chamber, casing or receptacle in any given or definite
period of time will be secured by one or other of the methods familiar to experts in

page_text: mechanical work specially to meet the peculiar circumstances under which the process
is carried out.
The nature or physical and chemical characteristics of the air or aeriform fluids
employed in my system of cotton fibre treatment will vary with the varying
conditions of the fibres to be treated or with the effects which it may be desirable to
produce. Thus in the employment of ordinary or atmospheric air while for the most
part it would he employed at its usual or normal-atmospheric temperature or in other
conditions of working the cotton fibre it might be advisable to use for the treatment
of the cotton fibres air heated to a certain degree of temperature such as might be
considered most advantageous to meet the peculiar condition of the cotton fibres under
treatment or proposed treatment.
The loose opened up condition of the cotton fibres which would be the general or
normal result of my system of treating cotton fibres with currents or volumes of air or
aeriform fluids at pressure gives great facilities for the employment of certain gases
or aeriform fluids which might be required to produce certain chemical changes or
effects in the fibres as for example by the use of a gas or of gases which might
exercise what is known as a bleaching or whitening and purifying effect on the fibres.
The light and feathery open condition of the fibres would obviously greatly
facilitate the action of the gas or gases upon the fibres as they would be much more
freely expose to that action than when in a more dense compacted state. The
mechanical appliances and apparatus employed for the production and the application
of bodies or volumes of such gases as might be required to produce certain effects
upon the cotton fibres would in design and construction depend upon circumstances
and would be based on methods and devices well known to machinists generally.
As the mechanical arrangements and devices for producing or creating supplies
of air and of aeriform fluids would vary in design and construction with the varying
character of the classes of fibres to be treated and with the local circumstances and
conditions of working and as such mechanical arrangements and devices and the
principles upon which they are based are familiar to experts in engineering and
imechanical work, I make no claim in connection with this departinent of my
system of treating cotton for producing or creating currents or volumes at pressure
of air or of aeriform fluids other than at atmospheric or ordinary air.
Nor do I
claim any particular form or shape for the chamber, casing, or receptacle within the
interior of which my system of treatment of cotton fibres or of masses of cotton fibres
is carried on. Nor do I claim the pecular method hereinbefore described of so
constructing the main chamber, casing or receptacle in which the cotton fibres are
treated that its interior shall present a corrugated or ribbed surface or wall or walls
the corrugations or ribs to be formed either of metal or by preference of vulcanized
india rubber or other soft and elastic material or substance. Nor do I claim the
method or devices as herein before described of construction of the chamber,
casing or receptacle in so far as the inlets or channels are concerned, for leading to
and applying in the chamber the currents or volumes of air or of aeriform fluids
to which the cotton fibres or masses of cotton fibre are subjected in the carrying out
of my system of treatment of the fibres or masses of fibres, the methods of
arranging, adjusting and forming the inlets for the currents or volumes of air or of
aeriform fluids being dependent upon the character and condition of the cotton or
other fibres and of the circumstances of working of my system.
But what I claim is as follows
(1) The treatment of cotton fibres-a treatment applicable also to fibres
animal and vegetable other than cotton-or of masses of cotton fibres by the
employment of currents or volumes of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure-the
direction of the currents and the amount rate or degree of pressure varying
according to the condition or the class or quality of the fibres or the circumstances
of working. This treatment to be carried on within certain chambers, casings, or
receptacles such for example as that hereinbefore described, and the object of which
treatment by the use of sometimes direct sometimes by opposing and contrary

page_text: currents of air or of aeriform fluids at pressure in the opening up and cleaning of
masses or aggregation of cotton fibres in such a way as to present the fibres in a
light feathery free and open condition freed or comparatively freed from dust, dirt or
other substances foreign to the fibres-and which treatment I maintain to be more in
consonance with the natural or physical characteristics of the cotton fibres than the
methods of opening up and cleaning them in which the fibres are subjected to blows,
strokes and concussive effects from bodies harder than the fibres themselves as more
fully herein before described.
(2) I claim the application to my system of treating cotton fibres with currents or
volumes of aeriform fluids at pressure other than atmospheric air such as a gas or of
gases the nature or constituents of which are calculated to produce certain chemical
effects, such for example as whitening, bleaching, and purifying or of producing
certain chemical changes in the colour or character of the cotton fibres.
(3) I claim also in carrying out my system of treatment of cotton fibres or of
masses or aggregations of cotton fibres the application of currents or volumes of
atınophere air heated or raised in temperature above the ordinary or normal
temperature of the surrounding atmosphere for the time being, the amount or degree
of temperature of the air so heated varying with the condition and class or quality of
the cotton fibres to be treated.
~
As witness my hand this Nineteenth day of February 1890.