IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE WASHING, CLEANSING, AND DYEING OF WOOL AND OTHER FIBRES AND YARNS
Year: 1875

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Alfred Bartleet at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th July 1875.-A communication from abroad by Alfred Ocean
Chambers, of Adelaide, South Australia.
I, GEORGE ALFRED BARTLEET, of Union Court, Old Broad Street, in
the City of London, Merchant,do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for “IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE WASHING,
CLEANSING, AND DYEING OF WOOL AND OTHER FIBRES AND YARNS," (a communi-
cation to me from abroad by Alfred Ocean Chambers, of Adelaide,
South Australia), to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improved machinery or apparatus to be used
in the washing, cleansing, and dyeing of wool and other fibres and
yarns.
The improved machinery or apparatus is constructed with a longi-
tudinal open receptacle or vessel, in which the washing, cleansing, or
dyeing is effected, and the sides and bottom of which are perforated or
made with openings (except when intended to be used for dyeing). At
one of its ends a compartment with a closed bottom and closed sides is

page_text: '
"
divided off by a partition or false side, affixed to a longitudinal frame
carrying a series of independent "beaters," "stirrers," or "cleaners,'
depending into the washing, cleansing, or dyeing vessel. In this
compartment is an elevator, lift, or hoisting frame, with a grated
bottom and two perforated sides and two open sides.
The frame (with its beaters) is capable of rising and falling in
slots made in two end standards, being guided if required by a rod
passing centrally through a longitudinal cross head connecting the end
standards.
The beaters consist of depending arms carrying at their lower
extremities series of spikes or prongs, a reciprocating motion of which
transversely in the washing, cleansing, or dyeing vessel effects the
washing, cleansing, or dyeing of the wool or other fibre or yarn. This
reciprocation is effected by a series of cranks arranged on a shaft carried
by bearings on brackets, frames, or stands, projecting sideways from the
framing of the washing, cleansing, or dyeing vessel, the cranks being
connected to the lower ends of the beaters (one to each) by connecting
rods, and arranged on their shaft so that two of the beaters shall not be
in the same portions of their strokes together, so as to produce a
concussive dashing and surging motion of the water, or of the cleansing
or dyeing medium, and of the wool or other fibres or yarns being
operated upon, or the alternate cranks may be arranged to throw
contrarily to each other or otherwise.
During the agitating action of the beaters in the washing, cleansing,
or dyeing vessel, the frame carrying them is in its lowest position, and
the partition affixed to it closes one open side of the lift or hoisting
frame; but after the washing, cleansing, or dycing has been effected, the
motion of the crank shaft and of the beaters is stopped, and the frame
carrying the beaters and partition is raised so as to lift the beaters and
partitions clear of the washing, cleansing, or dyeing vessel, and thus leave
one open side of the lift or elevator open thereto, after which a per-
forated "transverser" (which during the washing, cleansing, or dyeing
operation is kept at the end of the vessel farthest from the elevator or
lift) is caused to traverse the length of the vessel (running along on a
tramway on the upper sides thereof) and to carry all the wool or fibre or
yarn therefrom into the lift (through its open side), which is then
caused to rise to a convenient height or level, the wool draining as it

page_text: rises and the partition or false side shutting it in as it rises, when the
washed, cleansed, or dyed wool, fibre, or yarn is passed out therefrom
through its other open side to any convenient drying or wringing
apparatus.
The entire apparatus is intended to be placed in water, so that the
impurities washed from the wool, fibre, or yarn may be carried from
the washing or cleansing vessel through its perforated sides and bottom
and not be allowed to accumulate therein. When used for dyeing
purposes however, the sides and bottom of the receptacle being closed,
it contains the whole of the dyeing medium.
The raising and lowering of the beater frame and of the lift and the
longitudinal to-and-fro motion of the "traverser," may be effected by.
independent chains passing to and around pulleys to other pulleys or
winches, which may be actuated by gearing or by ratchets, pawls, and
handles, or by any suitable mechanical equivalent, the weight of the
beater frame and of the lift may also be counterbalanced.
The crank shaft may be actuated by manual or animal labour or by
mechanical power.
The transverse oscillating action of the beaters, the rising and falling
of the beater frame, the rising and falling of the lift, and the longi-
tudinal to-and-fro motion of the "traverser are thus each caused
separately by suitable mechanical contrivances.
"