Improvements in or applicable to Machinery for Scouring and Washing Wool and other Fibrous Materials.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd May, 1894-Accepted, 9th June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Machinery for Scouring and
Washing Wool and other Fibrous Materials.
We, JOHN MºNAUGHT and WILLIAM MCNAUGHT of St. George's Foundry,
Rochdale in the County of Lancaster, Engineers and Machinists do hereby declare
the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements upon machines for scouring and washing
fibrous materials such as are described in the Specification of a former Patent
granted to us and numbered 983 of A.D. 1812 and in particular machines such as
are illustrated by Figures 45 and 6 of the drawings described in the said
Specification of the said Letters Patent hereinafter referred to as our aforesaid
Specification. It will be seen that we therein described the use of plates grids or
sieves which we term "immersers" and which have perforated bottoms and turned
up sides and are made to sink into and rise out of the liquor in the trough in which
the fibres operated upon are scoured and washed.
Our present invention consists in further improvements which are based on those
described in our aforesaid Specification and which enable us to make machines of
an improved character.
According to our present invention the lower part of the machine is formed by a
trough or cistern (hereinafter called the cistern trongh) extending the lengthway
of the machine.
Above the cistern trough and carried from it or separated from it in any
convenient manner is the washing trough.
The washing trongh has each end closed and the delivery end is formed
somewhat similar to the washing troughs described in our aforesaid Specification
so that the fibrous material may be moved along with the liquor or partly moved
along with the liquor and partly pushed or propelled over that end of the washing
trough to the squeezing rollers; the liquor which passes over the end of the
washing trough descends into the cistern trough.
The cistern trough is extended at the delivery end of the machine to come under
the squeezing rollers at that end in order that it may receive the liquor which
passes over the end of the washing trough.
In the machines described in our aforesaid Specification the liquor which passes
over the delivery end of the washing trough is received into a small cistern or
trough at the delivery end of the machine from which it is pumped or otherwise
elevated back to the washing trough.
According to our present invention the liquor coming into the cistern trough at
one end is taken from it at the other end and lifted and discharged into the corre-
sponding end of the washing trough by any suitable elevator or pump such as an
ordinary centrifugal pump.
The washing trough has a false or perforated bottom which is or may be below
the level of the delivery end of the washing trough and may ascend by a short
incline to the level of the delivery end of the washing trough.
The perforated false bottom enables dirt or sediment to escape and descend from
he washing part of the trough and remain and settle in spaces formed below the
alse bottom. In some cases the perforated bottom may be dispensed with.
We find it advantageous to make in the washing trough below the perforated
alse bottom, when one is employed, a series of separate pockets or compartments

page_text: the upper sides of which come close to the underside of the perforated false-
bottom.
These sides or some of them are inclined more or less from each end and side to
form a hopper at the lower small end of which there is a valve which is or may be
opened and closed by suitable levers or other equivalent connections from the
outside or inside of the washing trough.
The hopper form of these separate compartments of the washing trough below its
false bottom allows the dirt or sediment accumulating therein to be readily
discharged when desired and one important advantage of the separate compartments
is that each when required can be flushed separately.
I
The outlet from the valve of each compartment leads into the cistern trough.
The wool or fibrous material to be operated upon is fed by an endless lattice in
the ordinary manner and it is immersed in the liquor in the washing trough and
worked in and moved from the feeding towards the delivery end of the washing
trough by an immerser or a series of immersers of the kind described in our
aforesaid Specification.
In some cases we use an immerser of a long shape such as is described in our
aforesaid Specification and it may be made to extend the greater part of the length
of the frame or washing trough.
The perforated bottom of our immerser or immersers may be flat or curved or
angular and be provided with more or fewer prongs projecting from its under side
as in practice may be found convenient.
In some cases we find it is more advantageous to employ instead of a long
immerser of one continuous length immersers formed in sections with spaces
between them.
The immersers so constructed are or may be secured to a frame by which they
are connected together and actuated or if a long continuous immerser be used it is
or may be made of sufficient strength so as to dispense with a separate frame.
The immersers as employed in our improved machines are made to sink into and
rise out of the liquor in the washing trough in a manner similar to that described
in our aforesaid Specification. That is to say the immerser or immersers is or are
made to move towards its delivery end when in the liquor and are then raised and
motion is given to them in a contrary direction.
The immerser or immersers may in our improved machines be carried and
actuated by mechanism similar to that described in our aforesaid Specification or
by other suitable mechanism.
When we use several of our immersers in series the actuating mechanism may be
arranged to give independent motion to them respectively in sequence or alternately
or simultaneously as may be found advantageous in practice.
In some cases two frames may be employed and be actuated alternately and each
may be made to carry an immerser or immersers.
Dated this Fourth day of August 1893.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or applicable to Machinery for Scouring and
Washing Wool and other Fibrous Materials.
I, WILLIAM MCNAUGHT of the Firm of John and William McNaught of
St. George's Foundry, Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers and
Machinists, as the sole executor of the late John M Naught and on my own behalf
as joint inventor and co-applicant with the said late John M Naught 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 improvements upon machines for scouring and washing

page_text: fibrous materials such as are described in the Specification of a former Patent
granted to the said John M Naught and William M Naught and numbered 983
of A.D. 1882, and in particular machines such as are illustrated by Figures 4, 5
and 6 of the drawings described in the said Specification of the said Letters Patent,
hereinafter referred to as the aforesaid Specification. It will be seen that therein
was described the use of plates, grids or sieves which were termed "immersers
and which have perforated bottoms and turned up sides and are made to sink into
and rise out of the liquor in the trough in which the fibres operated upon are
scoured and washed.
"
The present invention consists in further improvements which are based on those
described in the aforesaid Specification and which enable machines of an improved
character to be made.
According to the present invention the lower part of the machine is formed by
a trough or cistern (hereinafter called the cistern trough) extending the lengthway
of the machine.
Above the cistern trough and carried from it, or separated from it in any
convenient manner, is the washing trough.
The washing trough has each end closed and the delivery end is formed somewhat
similar to the washing troughs described in the aforesaid Specification so that the
fibrous material may be moved along with the liquor or partly moved along with
the liquor and partly pushed or propelled over that end of the washing trough to
the squeezing rollers; the liquor which passes over the end of the washing trough
descends into the cistern trough."
The cistern trough is extended at the delivery end of the machine to come under
the squeezing rollers at that end in order that it may receive the liquor which.
passes over the end of the washing trough.
In the machines described in the aforesaid Specification the liquor which passes
over the delivery end of the washing trough is received into a small cistern or
trough at the delivery end of the machine from which it is pumped or otherwise
elevated back to the washing trough.
According to the present invention the liquor coming into the cistern trough at
one end is taken from it at the other end and lifted and discharged into the
corresponding end of the washing trough by any suitable elevator or pump such as
an ordinary centrifugal pump.
The washing trough has a false or perforated bottom which is or may be below.
the level of the delivery end of the washing trough and may ascend by a short.
incline to the level of the delivery end of the washing trough.
The perforated false bottom enables dirt or sediment to escape and descend from
the washing part of the trough and remain and settle in spaces formed below the
false bottom. In some cases the perforated bottom may be dispensed with.
It is found advantageous to make in the washing trough below the perforated
false bottom, when one is employed, a series of separate pockets or compartments,
the upper sides of which come close to the underside of the perforated false bottom.
These sides or some of them are inclined more or less from each end and side, to
form a hopper, at the lower small end of which there is a valve which is or may be
openied and closed by suitable levers or other equivalent connections from the
outside or inside of the washing trough. -
The hopper form of these separate compartments of the washing trough below
its false bottom allows the dirt or sediment accumulating therein to be readily
discharged when desired and one important advantage of the separate compartments
is that each when required can be flushed separately.
The outlet from the valve of each compartment leads into the cistern trough.
The wool or fibrous material to be operated upon is fed by an endless lattice in
the ordinary manner and it is immersed in the liquor in the washing trough and
worked in and moved from the feeding towards the delivery end of the washing
trough by an immerser or a series of immersers of the kind described in the aforesaid.
Specification.

page_text: In some cases an immerser is used of a long shape, such as is described in the
aforesaid Specification and it may be made to extend the greater part of the length
of the frame or washing trough.
The perforated bottom of the immerser or immersers according to the present
invention may be flat or curved or angular and be provided with more or fewer
prongs projecting from its underside as in practice may be found convenient.
In some cases it is found more advantageous to employ instead of a long immerser
of one continuous length, immersers formed in sections with spaces between them.
The immersers so constructed are or may be secured to a frame by which they
are connected together and actuated, or if a long continuous immerser be used it is
or may be made of sufficient strength so as to dispense with a separate frame.
The immersers as employed in the improved machine according to the present
invention are made to sink into and rise out of the liquor in the washing trough in
a manner similar to that described in the aforesaid Specification. That is to
say, the immerser or immersers is or are made to move towards its delivery end
when in the liquor and are then raised and motion given to them in a contrary
direction.
The immerser or immersers may in the improved machine according to the
present invention be carried and actuated by mechanism similar to that described in
the aforesaid Specification or by other suitable mechanism.
When several of the immersers in series are used the actuating mechanism may
be arranged to give independent motion to them respectively in sequence or
alternately or simultaneously as may be found advantageous in practice.
In some cases two frames may be employed and be actuated alternately and each
may be made to carry an immerser or immersers.
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal side elevation partly in section illustrating so much of
the parts of a machine according to the invention as will be required to explain the
same.
Fig. 2, is a partial sectional side elevation showing another form of immersers
different from those shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, shows a cross section of one form of washing trough having a false or
perforated bottom and with a series of separate receptacles below the false or
perforated bottom.
Fig. 4, shows the cross section of another modification of washing trough having
a false or perforated botton, the sides of such washing trough coming within a
washing tank leaving a space in the washing tank on each side between the outsides.
of the washing trough, and the inner sides of the washing tank.
Fig. 5, shows also the cross section of another modification of washing trough
with a perforated or false bottom within a washing tank similar to that shown by
Fig. 4, having one compartment or a series of separate compartments below the
false bottom or perforated bottom for sediment.
Fig. 6, is a side sectional elevation illustrating a machine similar to that shown
by Fig. 1, but with a different arrangement of immersers.
In the figures above referred to-a, are the sides and a', the perforated or false
bottom of the washing trough.
a², is the washing tank (when used) in which the washing trough a, is placed as
shown in Figs. 4 and 5, there being a space on each side between the sides of the
washing trough a, and the inner sides of the washing tank a². The liquid in the
washing trough a, and that in the washing tank a³, are upon the same level, because
they communicate through the perforated bottom a¹.
By arranging the trough within the washing tank a greater quantity of liquor.
can be used.
The dirt from the fibrous material passes through the false bottom into the space
below it formed by the series of separate compartments a, as shown in Figs. 1,2,3
and 6, or into one undivided compartment continuous or nearly so in the lengthway
of the washing trough.
The space in the washing tank a³, below the level of the false bottom a¹, in the

page_text: modifications shown by Figs. 4 and 5, may be either one continuous compartment.
nearly the length of the washing trough a, or may be divided into several
compartments similar to those shown by a³, Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6.
The division forming the separate compartments may extend from the bottom to
the level of the underside of the false. bottom a¹, and if desired above that level
in the space between the outer sides of the washing trough, and the inner sides of
the washing tank, say to the level of the line a³, see Fig. 5.
One advantage of a series of separate compartments a³, is that a flow of liquor
in the lengthway of the washing tank below the false bottom a¹, is prevented, and
the said compartments form settling receptacles, the liquor in which is undisturbed
or less disturbed than when the space below the false bottom forms one common
receptacle or compartment for sediment.
There is a further advantage in a series of separate receptaclea arranged as
shown with an outlet at a*, closed by a valve (not shown) as the sediment in each
compartment may be more readily washed away when the liquor is drawn off as all
the liquid in or passed into the washing tank can be made to operate upon and pass
through one compartment or division at a time.
b, and b', represent the ordinary upper and lower squeezing rollers respectively.
It will be seen in Figs. 1 and 6, that the cistern tank c, below the washing
trough a, and tank a³, (when used) is extended to come under the lower squeezing
roller 6, and thus receives all the liquor flowing from the washing trough over the
incline a, towards the squeezing rollers 6 and 6', and also the liquor squeezed from
the fibrous material when passing between those rollers.
The cistern trough e, extends from one end to the other end of the machine and
it has an outlet in any suitable position having a suitable valve (not shown) by
which the liquid may be discharged from, and the cistern c, washed out when
required.
At the feeding end of the machine, there is a suitable pump or elevator, a
centrifugal pump d, is shown, and this pump draws liquor from the end of the
cistern c, and sends it by a pipe d', into the feeding end of the washing trough a, so
that when at work there is a flow of liquor from the feeding to the delivery end of
the washing trough a, which together, with the action of the immersers, and
propelling and working frame, causes the wool or fibrous material operated upon to
pass along the washing trough a, to the delivery end.
There is or may be a cock or valve (not shown) in the pipe d¹, between the
pump d, and the feeding end of the washing trough a, to regulate the quantity of
liquor passing to the washing trough, and in such pipe d', there may also be a
junction for a pipe for steam (not shown) provided with a cock for heating the
passing liquor as required.
The wool or material to be treated is or may be fed by an endless apron or
lattice, indicated by e, in the ordinary manner.
The propelling and working frame is or may be formed by tubular or other
bars f, passing lengthway in the ordinary manner shown in the aforesaid Specifi-
cation, and a series of separate detached immersers f¹, made of thin metal are
attached to the frame f, as shown in Fig. 1.
The bottoms (and sides if desired) of each immerser f', are perforated with small
holes so that liquid may pass through freely.
The bottom sides of these immersers, may be made of the shapes (a double
incline) as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, or as shown in Fig. 2, in which figure three
forms of immersers f', are shown, one (f³) with a wavy bottom, one (ƒ³) with a
curved bottom and one (^^) with a flat bottom.
The bottoms of these immersers f¹, have one or more rows of short teeth or
prongs f, attached to them and there may be also rows of prongs or teeth fº,
attached to the frame f, between the immersers f¹, as shown in Fig. 1, or these
rows of prongs may be dispensed with as shown in Fig. 6, where each
immerser, is shown with two rows of prongs and the bottom of the last
immerser f, (Fig. 6) nearest to the delivery end of the washing trough a, is

page_text: shown inclined in one direction, this immerser and its rows of prongs act to push
the material operated upon assisted by the flow of the liquor towards the squeezing
rollers b and b¹.
The frame, is or may be suspended by chains or other connections
indicated by dotted lines from pulleys 9', on two shafts g' and g³, having their
bearings at the upper ends of standards h, from the sides of the washing trough a,
or tank a³, and the two shafts g³ and g³, are connected by a chain 9, with pulleys on
the shafts and one shaft g, is actuated by a chain 9, connected with the end of a
lever g, having its fulcrum g', on the framing, this lever being acted upon by a
cam g, on a rotary shaft go, thus giving the required up and down movements to
the frame f.
The to and fro horizontal movements are given to the frame f, by a rod i, jointed
to the frame, at i, at one end, and to a slotted link or lever, at the other end,
which latter is upon a fulcrum at ³, ou the framing, the slotted lever ³, being
oscillated by a bowl on a crank pin it, in a crank ou a shaft i, or by a cranked
shaft in suitable bearings on the framing geared by toothed spur wheels with the
shaft having the cam g, upon it.
The above described arrangement for suspending, and the gearing for working
the immersing and propelling frame f, is similar to those shown and described in
the aforesaid Specification.
Other arrangements of mechanism may be used for suspending and working
the frame f, and one part of the frame f, with its immersers f¹, may be separate
one from the other, and suspended so as to counter-balance each other and be
worked by the same cam 98, and crank it, one part of the frame f, being connected
to the other by levers (having their fulcrums upon the framing) and rods or
connections so that the end movements (produced in such case by a crank and
connecting rod without a slotted lever) of one part of the frame will be conveyed
to, but in the reverse direction to the other part of the frame and the up and
down movements of one part of the frame will be conveyed in like manner to the
other part of the frame in a reverse direction.
The arrangement of a series of immersers f¹, as herein before described
may be used if desired when the washing trough is without a false or perforated
bottom.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1. The combination of washing troughs for washing wool and other fibrous
materials, with a false or perforated bottom in which the washing trough below the
false bottom is divided into a series of separate compartments substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6 of the
drawings.
2. The combination of washing troughs (a) and tanks (a) in which the washing
trough has a false or perforated bottom extending the length of the washing
trough or nearly so and is within the washing tank (a) substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.
3. The combination of washing troughs and tanks in which the washing
trough (a) has a false or perforated bottom extending the length of the washing
trough or nearly so and is within the washing tank (a) which tank below the false
bottom is divided into a series of separate compartments the partitions coming to
the level of the underside of the perforated or false bottom or above that level on
each side of the exterior of the washing trough within the washing tank (a³)
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by Fig. 5
of the drawings.
4. The combination of washing troughs (a) or washing troughs a, and washing
tanks a², having false or perforated bottoms and a series of separate compartments
below the false bottoms, with a cistern tank, below the washing trough or washing

page_text: trough and tank, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
drawings.
5. The combination of a series of immersers, attached to an operating and
propelling frame with or without rows of teeth between the separate immersers,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
6. The combination of machinery substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and illustrated by Figs. 1, and 6, or when modified as illustrated
by Fig. 2, or when modified as hereiubefore described and illustrated by Fig. 4, or
Fig. 5.
7. The combination of machinery substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by Figs. 1 or 6 when modified by dispensing with the perforated false
or perforated bottom and consequently the compartment or series of compartments
below the false or perforated bottom of the washing trough.
___1004
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PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.