provements in the Cleansing or Washing of Wool and like Animal Fibres and in Apparatus Employed therein.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 24th May, 1890-Accepted, 23th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in the Cleansing or Washing of Wool and like Animal
Fibres and in Apparatus Employed therein.
We ALFRED AMBLER, SAMUEL AMBLER and FRANK AMBLER all of Prospect and
Well House Mills Wilsden near Bingley in the County of York, Spinners do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to the cleansing or washing of wool and animal fibres of like
character employed in spinning or like manufactures.
In carrying out our invention the soapy or cleansing liquid and wool or fibre are
introduced substantially continuously into the apparatus and in relatively regulated
quantities the cleansing liquid carrying the wool along with it through an enclosed
channel and the liquid and wool being brought into intimate admixture so as to pro-
mote full solution of the grease or inatter to be removed therefrom, by means of
abrupt changes of direction of the channel in which the admixture takes place until
at, towards, or just beyond, the point of delivery of the wool conveying liquid from
the mixing channel means of separation or straining of liquid from the wool are
provided.
The straining means may be gauze, wirework, grids or equivalent means applied in
the closed channel or conduit either below at the sides or otherwise and from the
channel the wool so strained may pass to an apron formed of slats or open work and
thence to squeezing rollers or compressing means.
The operation may be repeated more than once.
The wool may be supplied to an upwardly extending portion of the channel pro-
vided with a hopper or mouth piece by means of a continuous apron or equivalent
means of supply. Beneath the continuous channel and so as to receive the separated
liquid is a tank which has communication with a pump or other raising or forcing
means and a suitable conduit so that the washing liquid may be again supplied to the
channel, with the wool.
Several aprons for aiding in straining the wool may be employed arranged one
beyond the other.
In place of soapy liquid any suitable liquid adapted to remove the grease or effect
the cleansing of the wool or animal fibre may be employed.
The abrupt changes of direction of the channel may be conveniently attained by
curving the lower part of the upwardly extending entrance portion then extending the
channel horizontally or inclined for a certain distance then causing the same suddenly
to descend at an abrupt angle then to pass horizontally or inclined then again to
abruptly descend continuing such alternations of direction to any desired extent, finally
delivering by a horizontal or inclined end portion to the delivery apron or filtering
surface.
The liquid may be pumped to an elevated reservoir and flow to the point of
admixture with the wool.
000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Cleansing or Washing of Wool and like Animal
Fibres and in Apparatus Employed therein.
We ALFRED AMBLER, SAMUEL AMBLER and FRANK AMBLER all of Prospect and
Well House Mills, Wilsden near Bingley in the County of York, Spinners, 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:
The invention relates to the cleansing or washing of wool and animal fibres of like
character employed in spinning or like manufactures, so as to extract and remove the
dirt, grease and matters contained.
In carrying out our invention the soapy extracting or cleansing liquid and wool or
fibre are introduced substantially continuously into the apparatus and in relatively
regulated quantities, the extracting or cleansing liquid carrying the wool along with it
through an enclosed conduit or channel, and the liquid and wool being brought into
intimate admixture so as to promote full solution of the grease or matter to be removed
therefrom, by means of abrupt changes of direction of the closed conduit or channel
in which the admixture takes place, until at, or towards, or just beyond the point of
delivery of the wool conveying liquid from the mixing conduit or channel nieans of
separation or straining of liquid & dirt from the wool are provided.
The straining means may be gauze, wirework, grids or equivalent means applied in
the closed channel or conduit, either below, at the sides or otherwise, and from the
tube, closed channel or conduit the wool so strained may pass to squeezing rollers or
compressing means.
The operation may be repeated more than once.
The wool may be supplied to an upwardly extending portion of the tube, closed
conduit or channel provided with a hopper or mouth piece by means of a continuous
apron or equivalent means of supply.
Beneath the closed continuous conduit or channel and so as to receive the separated
liquid is a tank, which has communication with a pump or other raising or forcing
means and a suitable conduit, so that the washing liquid may be again supplied to
the tubular conduit or channel, with the wool.
An apron may be interposed between the delivery end of the tubular conduit or
channel and the squeezing means, and be formed of slats or openwork, or several
aprons for aiding in straining the wool may be employed arranged one beyond the
other if desired, but such are not found generally necessary, the fibre being. delivered
directly to the rollers.
In place of soapy liquid any suitable liquid adapted to remove the grease or effect
the cleansing of the wool or animal fibre may be employed.
The abrupt changes of direction of the tubular conduit or channel may be con-
veniently attained by curving the lower part of the upwardly extending entrance
portion, then extending the tubular conduit or channel horizontally or inclined for a
certain distance then causing the same suddenly to descend at an abrupt angle then to
pass horizontally or inclined, then again to abruptly descend, continuing such alterna-
tions of direction to any desired extent, finally delivering, by a horizontal or inclined
end portion directly to the squeezing rollers; or, if such be used, interposed, to the
delivery apron or filtering surface.
The liquid may be pumped to an elevated reservoir and flow to the point of
admixture with the wool.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the apparatus partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with portions of the cover of the tubular conduit
or channel removed to shew the internal construction.
Fig. 3 shews a modification of the arrangement of the tube c so as to gain length

page_text: of tube passage without occupying so much space in the direction of the length of
the bowl.
Fig. 4 shews another modification wherein the returns of the tube c are formed of
simple inclines and sharp end curves.
Fig. 5 shews a modification in the arrangement of the parts of the apparatus for
effecting the feed of the fibre and of the wash liquor.
a is. the reservoir for the wash liquid, which liquid is shewn by dotted lines.
a' is an exit passage for the liquid which may pass to any suitable pump or forcing
means, not shewn, from whence it is forced through the pipe 61 for supply to the
chamber b, in which it rises until it reaches to the level of the lip 2, when it flows
down the space 3, this forming a spout for the supply of the liquid to the double
funnel c¹, c².
In the space between these two funnels the liquid rises until it flows over
into the inner one e', along with the wool or like fibre which is supplied by means of
the travelling aprons d d travelling in the direction of the arrows and delivering the
wool to the funnel c¹, and tubular conduit or channel c, the wool and cleansing liquid
flowing down that pipe to the part where the pipe is curved and turns upwards to
the point e, where it is abruptly inclined downwards to the point co. It then inc'ines
upwards to the point where it abruptly inclines downwards to the point c. Then
again upwards to the point cs, then downwards to c³, and so on, upwards to cl down-
wards to c, and so on alternately upwards to c¹, cl, e¹6, and 18, and downwards
to c¹³, 15, 1, and c¹. e, e¹, e are outlet pipes from the tubular conduit or channel c,
protected at the point where the liquid leaves the tube or closed conduit or channel by
gratings e or other suitable straining means adapted to prevent fibre from leaving the
closed conduit or channel e along with the liquid drawn off. e³, es and e³ are taps
for controlling the flow of the liquid from the tube or closed conduit or channel by the
pipes e, e¹, e². 20 is a grating or openwork outlet from the tubular conduit or
channel c for the exit of liquid, but not for fibre. There may be other number of
these openings situated at convenient points of desired. f, f, f, are supporting rods
attached to the tubular conduit or channel c, and carried by suitable beams above or
otherwise.
C
The tubular conduit or channel c delivers the fibre, from which a considerable
portion of the liquid has been allowed to flow off, to squeezing rollers g g', which
press the fibre to extract the moisture, which flows down into the shoot and is
thereby delivered to a reticulate receptacle which serves to further intercept any
loose fibre that may slip past the other parts. By thus delivering wool directly into
the nip of the rollers with the water we obtain the advantage that the fibre is kept in
an open state and is so passed out. This liquid is returned to the reservoir a to be
again forced up by the pumping and raising means and re-used, or removed, gummy
or other lighter floating matters remaining Hoating on top and removable by skimming
or eventually by completely drawing off.
The rollers gg are forced together by pressure, here shewn as being attained by the
pressure of the pair of levers i, i, having their fulcra at the pins i, ¹, the points of
pressure at 2, 2, and the power exerted at 3, 3, which power is exerted thereon by
the adjustable connection,, each connecting one end 3 of the levers i to one end
of each of a pair of levers j, j, having their fulcra at, and connections to the
levers i, i at the weight being exerted at the ends j³, j³.
is the framework of this part of the machine. indicates the driving and the
loose pulley mounted on the axis 2, on which is also mounted the spur wheel 13
engaging with the spur wheel mounted on the axis on which is also mounted the
roller g, which roller drives the roller g by frictional contact. From the nip of the
rollers g g the fibre deprived of its moisture is delivered onto the fan or drum m,
rotating at a high speed, mounted on the axis m' on which is also mounted the
pulley m² around which passes the band m³ driven by suitable means from the engine.
From this fan or drum the fibre may be simply thrown into a heap to be further dealt
with, or may be delivered to suitable carrying means.
The fibre to be treated may be delivered in a regular or intermittent stream to the

page_text: entrance to the pipe or tube c, either by means of a mechanical feed as d d², or it may
be fed thereto by hand, or by intermittent mechanical measuring devices.
The liquid supplied from the chamber may be supplied either in a continuous
stream, in an intermittent stream, or in a regulated quantity as may be found most
convenient.
The number of outlet passages as e, e¹, e² may be multiplied or reduced as found
convenient.
The number of the checks to the direct flow of the liquid in the tube or closed
conduit or channel c as from ct to c³, co to c² and so on, may be increased, or the
treatment of the wool in the apparatus may be repeated as often as found desirable.
Or two or more sets of the apparatus may be arranged to coöperate by receiving the
fibre one from the other in a continuous manner.
It is immaterial to the object and scope of the invention whether the direction of
the course of the channel or conduit c is substantially in one direction, as it may be
constructed to proceed say in the direction indicated in the drawings and then to bend
or deuble back or return in a line parallel with the first mentioned part and proceed
to rollers or squeezing means located, say below the inlet, or this return or reversal of
direction of the channel may be repeated.
Fig. 3 indicates to small scale, by diagram, such an arrangement.
Fig. 4 shews another modification in which to tube c is made to descend vertically
from the funnel c¹ to c³, then curved into a long upwardly inclined portion 1, then an
abrupt downward curve 2, then another long upwardly inclined portion 3, trending
in the opposite direction to that of the limb 1, then an abrupt downward bend 4, and
a long upwardly inclined portion 5, and a more sharply inclined portion 6, delivering
to the squeezing rollers g g¹.
The portion of the tube 6, is of somewhat larger diameter at its delivery end, and
is formed with reticulate portion 7, through which the liquid in the fibre escapes
and falls into the reservoir a. e, e, e, indicate reticulate openings in the lower
part of the tube c, fitted with receptacles beneath, so as to intercept sand
etcetera.
It is necessary in arranging the perforated inlets e, e², e³, to the sand intercepting
receptacles e¹, e, e, beneath the same, from which the pipes e give egress to such
sand or subsidiary matter, to arrange that the area of escape from said receptacles
shall be less than the area of the perforated inlets (say the escape be one half the area
of the inlet) so as to prevent the wool being drawn into the perforations of the inlet.
In Fig. 5 the wash liquor is supplied by the pipe to the receptacle which is
formed with a reticulate or perforated bottom 2 through which the liquid falls in a
divided state onto the fibre in course of being supplied by the feed aprons d, d¹ and
into the upper part or enlarged mouth c of the tube c. In this arrangement the
falling liquid in its divided state washes the sand and dirt out of the fibre being fed
in very readily.
The mode of applying pressure to the nipping rollers may be varied and any suitable
known method employed.
The form of the beating fan or drum m may also be varied, or an equivalent device
substituted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In apparatus for cleansing or washing or extracting matters from wool and
like animal fibres a tube or closed channel or conduit as e, having a suitable receiving
opening for fibre and cleansing liquid in regulated quantities, said channel being
adapted to lead the mixed liquid and fibre downward an then towards the point of
delivery to squeezing rollers, and by abrupt changes of direction at certain points
as c, e, to check the flow of liquid and fibre and cause them to be better and more
intimately admixed, suitable exits and straining means intercepting the liquid from
the fibre, in combination with pressing rollers (as g, g) for squeezing out the

page_text: remaining cleansing liquid from the fibre, and means for delivering the fibre from
said squeezing rollers, together with means for delivering, or delivering storing and
re-using, the cleansing liquid substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The method of and apparatus for effecting the cleansing or washing of or
extracting matters from wool and like animal fibres by delivering the fibre to be
cleansed and the liquid for cleansing the same to a tube or closed conduit or channel
having an upward or vertical extension for receiving the fibre and cleansing liquid
and an extended tube or closed conduit or channel substantially horizontal in general
direction, but with a series of abrupt changes of said direction adapted to more
intimately admix the cleansing liquid and fibre, means for straining off dirt and the
cleansing liquid, pressing rollers for pressing out the liquid from the fibre, and means
for delivering the same, also means for re-using or delivering the cleansing liquid
substantially as set forth.
3. In apparatus for cleansing or washing or extracting matters from wool or like
animal fibres, a continuous tube or closed conduit or channel in which the fibre is
brought into intimate contact with the cleansing liquid in its flow therethrough, said
closed conduit or channel having abrupt changes of direction adapted to cause better
intermixture of the fibres, and means for separating the liquid from the fibrous material
substantially as set forth.
4. In apparatus for cleansing or washing or extracting matters from wool and
like animal fibres in manner hereinbefore set forth the double funnel opening e', c³,
to the tube or closed conduit or channel in combination with the liquid supply
chamber b, having extended delivery spout 6 thereto substantially as set forth.
5. In apparatus for cleansing or washing or extracting matters from wool or
other animal fibre a tube or closed conduit in which the wool or fibre is washed
or treated delivering the wool or fibre in the cleansing or extracting liquid directly
from such tube to the nip of the squeezing rollers or compressing means which
separate the wool or other animal fibre from the wash liquid substantially as set
forth.
6. In cleansing or washing or extracting matters from wool or other animal fibre
passing the fibre and the washing liquid in a continuous stream into and through a
closed tube or conduit in which the cleansing is effected and delivering the same
filled with liquid, directly to squeezing, or compressing rollers, or equivalent means
which squeeze out the washing liquid from the fibre or to an apron or other means
of conveyance to squeezing means substantially as set forth.
Dated the 23rd day of M 1800
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.