IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF WOOL, COTTON WASTE, YARN, HAIR, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS CONTAINING OIL OR FATTY MATTERS, AND IN THE SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE OIL OR FATTY MATTERS FROM THE AGENTS EMPLOYED
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George William Bentley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th June 1874.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM BENTLEY, of 67, Strand, in the City of West-
minster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF WOOL, COTTON
WASTE, YARN, HAIR, AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS CONTAINING OIL OR FATTY
MATTERS, AND IN THE SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE OIL OR FATTY MATTERS
FROM THE AGENTS EMPLOYED," to be as follows:―
I provide a cylinder-shaped vessel of iron or other suitable material
about three feet in diameter, but of any suitable length, and which is
stationary in a horizontal position, and steam jacketed. The upper part
is so constructed as to open and shut in the form of a lid, which can be
entirely removed and replaced when required by the aid of a pulley or
pullies, or otherwise, and is rendered perfectly tight by suitable packing.

page_text: Within this vessel I place another vessel of similar shape but several
inches smaller both in length and diameter, but which is perforated and
made so as to revolve upon axles by the aid of a leather band or other
connection with the engine, and worked from the outside of the outer
cylinder, which is likewise furnished with a lid which can be removed
and replaced in the manner before described. The inner cylinder is
furnished in the inside with three (more or less) projecting ridges,
situated at equal distances, for the purpose of agitating the contents.
Into this vessel I place the wool, cotton waste, cotton yarn, hair, or
other fibrous matter to be operated upon, which I first submit to the
influence of air passed over chloride of calcium under pressure, or other-
wise, in order to insure the fibre being thoroughly dry. I then apply
carbon bi-sulphide, benzoline, petroleum (or other hydrocarbon having
an affinity for oil or grease), or amyl alcohol under pressure (carbon
bi-sulphide I much prefer), during which time the inner cylinder is
caused to revolve slowly, by which means all oily or greasy matter is
removed from the fibre. After the removal of the oily or greasy matter,
which is accomplised by one or two applications, and which is
ascertained by means of a gauge or test tube conveniently affixed to the
outer cylinder, I allow the liquid comprising the carbon bi-sulphide, or
either of the other enumerated agents, and the oleaginous matter com-
bined to pass off into a conveniently situated tank or reservoir, or
directly into a still, in which they are separated, the former escaping in
a state of vapor into a condenser connected with the still, where it
resumes its original form and is ready for use again; the latter, (which
forms a valuable marketable product) remains in the still and can be
drawn off by suitably adjusted taps. The uncondensed gas of the carbon
bi-sulphide which passes off from the condenser I convey through a
pipe or tube connected with the condenser into a closed tank or reservoir
containing lime water, which then forms a valuable agent for unhairing
hides and skins. Steam is in the meantime admitted into the steam
jacket, the inner vessel or cylinder being allowed to revolve slowly,
which drives off any portion of the carbon bi-sulphide, or the other
enumerated agents remaining, into the condenser, and which resumes its
original form, as previously described. I then apply boiling water by
means of suitably adjusted piping connected with the boiler, the inner
cylinder still continuing to revolve slowly, which has the effect of
thoroughly cleansing the fibre contained therein. After allowing the

page_text: water to drain away by a suitable outlet I again apply air, as before
described, which speedily and entirely frees the fibre from all moisture
and renders it fit for immediate use.