An Improved Process of Bleaching Textile Fibres.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 2nd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process of Bleaching Textile Fibres.
1, WILLIAM HITCHCOCK-SPENCER of Benslow Lane, Hitchin, in the County of
Herts, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved process of bleaching textile fibres whether
of vegetable or animal origin-and particularly rhca grass-without steeping.
The process consists in exposing the fibres in hunks or otherwise and in a slightly
moistened condition to an atmosphere of chlorine gas generated and applied to act
on the fibres in the following manner.
The chlorine is generated by the reaction of hydrochloric acid and dioxide of
manganese, the latter being contained in a perforated earthenware vessel inunersed
in hydrochloric acid contained in a retort heated by a water bath, the bath being
maintained at the proper temperature by the injection of steam.
From the retort the chlorine vapor thus generated is passed first through a
saturated solution of common salt to cleanse it and then through fragments of
calcium chloride in order to dry the gas which then passes into the bleaching
chamber.
This chamber is of wood or other suitable material lined with a sort of felt or
felt paper or other covering and provided with felt or otherwise covered wooden
brackets or other supports for rods of covered wood upon which the fibres are hung
in hanks or otherwise.
Or, instead of rods the fibres may be disposed on trays or gratings.
The bleaching chamber is closed air tight and is provided with means of access
and inspection; it has an outlet leading to a receptacle containing water in which
the escaping vapors are absorbed.
OLL
1900
WM.
HITCHCOCK-SPENCER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process of Bleaching Textile Fibres.
I, WILLIAM HITCHCOCK-SPENCER of Benslow Lane, Hitchin, in the County
of Herts, Engineer, 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 invention relates to au improved process of bleaching textile fibres, whether
of vegetable or animal origin-and particularly rhea grass-without steeping.
The process consists in exposing the fibres in hanks or otherwise and in a slightly
moistened condition, to an atinosphere of chlorine gas generated and applied to act
on the fibres in the following manner.
The chlorine is generated by the re-action of hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid
and sodium chloride (or common salt) and dioxide of manganese in a retort, the
chlorine vapor thus generated passing first through a saturated solution of common
salt to cleanse it and then through fragments of calcium chloride in order to dry
the gas which then passes into the bleaching chamber wherein the fibres, in a
slightly damped condition, have previously been hung in hanks or otherwise

page_text: n
The apparatus which is represented in vertical section in the accompanying
drawing comprises the retort, or similar vessel A of earthenware, fitting in, and
heated by, a water-hath B maintained at the proper temperature by the injection
of steam into the bath below the retort at 6. In the centre of the retort is placed
a receptacle (of pottery, pierced with small holes all round, open at the top and
reaching about three-fourths of the height of the retort. This receptacle contains
manganese dioxide in pieces (not powder) and is immersed in the hydrochloric acid
in the retort. At the top of the retort are feed inlets, a² and an outlet a fitted
with a bent earthenware or glass pipe A' or other substance not being metal, for
the passage of the chlorine vapor produced, to the cleanser. This is an earthenware
vessel D about half filled with the solution of chloride of sudima, and has an inlet d
and outlet and a feed apertured at top which is closed when the apparatus is at work.
To the inlet of the cleanser is fitted a glass or earthenware tube extending three-
fourths of the depth of the cleanser, and an earthenware the IP connects the outlet
of the cleanser with the inlet in the base of a third cylindrical veel E shout three
parts filled with e leium chloride, the only outlet heing et top, to which is connected
an earthenware branch leading from this third vessel, or drier, to the bleaching
chamhr F. This chamber is of wood or other suitable material lined with a sort
of felt or felt pap r or similar covering, to exclude air, retain the Meaching vapor,
and cover up all metal mail- or screws used in its construction. To the sides of the
chamber are fixed wooden brackets 7. 7, also covered with prepared filt, in rows
four to six inches (more or less) rpart, în series of rows to nerupy the whole
available space of the chamber. These brackets carry rods of covered wood,
earthenware, or other suitable material, upon which in fibres to be treated are
disposed. Or wooden trays or gratings may be used when the fibres are too short
for disposition across the rods. The bleaching chamber is closed air-tight by a
door at the side, by which access is had to it, and is furnished with a glass door A
in the top, for inspection of the fibres under treatment. The said chamber has an
outlet at the bottom leading to a receptacle containing water in which the escaping
vapors are absorbed,
The retort being charged with hydrochloric acid or sulphurie neid, etc., and
manganese dioxide, team is admitted to the heating bath and escapes at an outlet
from the bath, the chlorine generated passing successively through the cleanser and
drier into the bleaching chamber, previously filled with the slightly moistened
fibres) where the chlorine displaces the air which is allowed to escape, by slightly
opening the glass door in the top, until the atmosphere in the chamber is sufficiently
impregnated with chlorine, whereupon the glass door is closed air-tight and the
goods left, for the necessary time, exposed to the chlorine vapors.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manuer the same is to be performed. I declare that what ||
claim is-
The herein described process of bleaching textile fibres--and particularly rhea
grass without steeping, by exposure of the fibres, in a slightly dump condition, to
chlorine gas generated and applied as above described.
Datad this 9th day of February 1801
W. HITCHCOCK SPENCER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.