Improvements in Scouring, Degreasing, and Cleansing Wool, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st Feb., 1894-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Scouring, Degreasing, and Cleansing Wool, and in
Apparatus therefor.
1, FREDERICK NICHOLSON TURNEY, of Whitemoor Leather Works, in the
Town and County of the Town of Nottingham, Leather Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in scouring, degreasing, and cleansing
wool, and woolly fleeces, and to apparatus therefor, whereby there is little or no
loss of the volatile solvent employed for the extraction of the grease and fatty
matters, and the wool need not be handled after entering the apparatus until the
cleansing is complete, the process of degreasing and scouring being carried on in
vapour-tight apparatus, and the wool being treated in a form in which it readily
parts with dirt and impurities, without being torn or broken by mechanical
devices.
For the purpose of my invention, the greasy or raw wool is placed in shallow boxes
of oblong or other suitable shape, provided with wire gauze, or perforated bottoms,
and with hinged wire gauze or perforated covers, or in wire gauze collapsible trays
or boxes. These boxes, when filled with wool, are fed into a receiving chamber or
airlock capable of being closed from the atmosphere and from the degreasing
chamber, and rendered airtight, said boxes being mechanically fed into the chamber
by means of a series of rollers, or by any convenient feeding device. The receiving
chamber or airlock is preferably designed to receive one of the said boxes of wool
at a time, and is provided with a door for the entrance of the said boxes, and with
a door or slide for their passage into the degreasing chamber. Both these doors
are so constructed as to be vapour or airtight when closed, so that when one door
is opened for the reception of one of the said boxes, no vapour can escape
from the degreasing chamber through the other door into the said receiving
chamber or airlock. The receiving chamber is provided with a vapour receiver
into which the vapour of solvent (which may pass from the degreasing chamber into
the receiving chamber during the passage of the boxes of wool into the degreasing
chamber) is pumped or exhausted. The said receiving chamber is also provided
with an air inlet, fitted with suitable cocks or valves, so that when the tap to the
vapour receiver is closed, the air may be allowed to enter the receiving chamber to
destroy the vacuum created therein, and allow the outer or entrance door to be
opened.
The degreasing chamber consists of a vapour-tight chamber, at the bottom of
which is arranged a series of shallow tanks, preferably rising stepwise, so that the
bottom of each successive tank is about on a level with the top of the preceding
These tanks receive the solvent, and have inclined or sloping bottoms for the
one.

page_text: purpose of drainage, by means of suitable pipework and cocks, and so that any
sediment, such as sand and gritty matter may collect at their lower end. Above
each tank is arranged a frame or carrier for the reception of one of the boxes of
wool, said frames or carriers being suitably suspended from the top of the degreasing
chamber in such a manner that, by means of suitable mechanism, they may receive
an up and down motion, whereby the boxes of wool may be dipped into and with-
drawn from the solvent the desired number of times. Suitable mechanical means
are also provided whereby the box or tray of wool, after being dipped the desired
number of times in the first or entry tank, is transferred to and similarly dipped in
the next tank, and so on until the last tank is reached. The wool being arranged in
a thin layer between the perforated top and bottom of the boxes, readily parts
with its gritty matter and impurities, as well as with fatty matters, during the dipping
process. Clean solvent is supplied to the upper or last tank and passed from this to
the next lower one in a continuous cycle, so that as the wool becomes cleaner it is
washed in cleaner solvent. The solvent, after passing through the series of tanks
is conducted from the lowest tank to a suitable evaporating vessel and distilled by
a steam coil or jacket, the vapour being condensed in the condensing coils and the
solvent collected for use again.
When the boxes of wool arrive at the last tank, they are removed from the
degreasing chamber through a slide or door and conveyed by any suitable means
into an evaporating or drying chamber provided with vapour-tight doors similar to
those of the receiving chamber. This evaporating chamber may be a vertical
compartment furnished with cams, or other suitable devices, so that as the boxes pass
into it they will become arranged or piled one above the other, and yet not rest on
nor touch each other, but have spaces between, and will also be capable of being
lowered one at a time. Instead of the vertical evaporating chamber, I may
employ any other suitable arrangement by which the solvent can be evaporated
without removing the wool from the perforated trays or boxes, and said trays or
boxes may be received by any suitable horizontal traveller, one after another (as
they leave the degreasing chamber) and be carried across the evaporating chamber
by suitable mechanism one at a time, or otherwise.
A stream of warm air is admitted at the bottom of the evaporating chamber,
and when a vertical chamber is employed, is caused to pass from side to side
thereof, and by penetrating the wool, evaporates out the solvent which is then
drawn off, in the form of vapour, to a condenser from which it is conducted to the
degreasing chamber, when desired, for re-use.
If preferred one or more sets of mangling or squeezing rollers may be mounted
in the apparatus, so that collapsible trays or boxes of perforated metal containing
the wool may be passed through them to press out some of the solvent before
entering the evaporating or drying chamber. Or a platen press or any other
suitable means, capable of being operated without interfering with the
vapour-tight arrangement of the apparatus may be employed to free the wool of
the greater part of the solvent before said wool enters the evaporating or drying
chamber.
At the end or bottom of the evaporating chamber are arranged two airlocks or
exit chambers similar in general construction to the receiving chamber above
mentioned, and provided with doors suitably arranged to prevent the escape of any
vapour of solvent to the atmosphere, while the boxes of wool are being passed out
of the apparatus. These exit chambers may be connected by pipework with the
same vapour-receiver as the receiving chamber.
From the said exit chambers or airlocks, the wool is conveyed mechanically, or
otherwise, to a series of tanks (preferably arranged stepwise, as in the degreasing
chamber) wherein it is washed with warm water or soap and water to improve its
colour and further purify it, the grease having been removed during the passage
through the degreasing chamber, and the volatile solvent or spirit during the
passage through the evaporating chamber. The wool may be thus washed by
mechanically dipping the boxes or trays in said tanks or washing troughs containing

page_text: Soft water, or soap and water. Or the wool may be removed from the trays after
leaving the exit chamber and be washed in any ordinary suitable wool-washing
machine, and be dried in an ordinary drying chamber after having been passed
between rollers to squeeze out the water.
Where a large quantity of wool is to be treated, several degreasing chambers,
with entrance and exit airlocks, evaporating chambers, and other parts arranged as
described, may be constructed side by side, and be connectel by suitable pipework
and cocks in such a manner that, one condenser will serve to condense the solvent
vapour from all the evaporating chambers and vapour receivers of the battery,
and that the other parts of the machinery need not be multiplied to the samė
extent as the degreasing chambers.
17ated Guay of ap 1000
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 6, Victoria Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Scouring, Degreasing, and Cleansing Wool, and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, FREDERICK NICHOLSON TURNEY, of Whitemoor Leather Works, in the
Town and County of the Town of Nottingham, Leather Manufacturer, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters
and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My invention relates to improvements in scouring, degreasing, and cleansing
wool, and woolly fleeces, by means of volatile solvent, and to apparatus therefor,
whereby there is little or no loss of the volatile solvent employed for the extraction
of the grease and fatty matters, and the wool need not be handled after entering the
apparatus until the cleansing is complete, the process of degreasing and scouring
being carried on in vapour tight apparatus, and the wool being treated in a form in
which it readily parts with dirt and impurities, without being torn or broken by
mechanical devices.
For the purpose of my invention, the greasy or raw wool is placed in suitably
shaped shallow boxes having wire gauze or perforated bottoms, and hinged wire
gauze or perforated covers; or in collapsible trays or boxes of wire gauze. These
boxes, when filled with wool, are fed, say one at a time, into a receiving chamber or
airlock, capable of being closed from the atmosphere and from the degreasing
chamber, and rendered airtight, and they are mechanically fed into the chamber by
means of a series of rollers, or by other appropriate feeding devices. In connection
with the receiving chamber is provided apparatus for recovering any vapour of the
solvent which may enter it during the passage of the boxes of wool into the
degreasing chamber.
At the bottom of the degreasing chamber is arranged a series of solvent receiving
tanks, suitable means being provided whereby the boxes of wool may be dipped into
and withdrawn from the solvent the desired number of times, and be transferred
from one tank to another.
The wool being arranged in a thin layer between the perforated top and bottom
of the boxes, readily parts with its gritty matter and impurities, as well as with
fatty matters, during the dipping process. Clean solvent is supplied to the last
tank, and passes from this to the next one, and so on in a continuous cycle, and in
a contrary direction to that in which the wool is passing so that as the wool

page_text: becomes cleaner it is washed in a cleaner solvent. The solvent after passing
through the series of tanks is conducted to a suitable evaporating vessel, and
distilled by a steam coil or jacket, the vapour being condensed in condensing worms,
and the solvent collected for use again.
When the boxes of wool have been dipped in the last tank of the series, they are
passed into an evaporating or drying chamber furnished with suitable devices so
that as the boxes pass into it they will become arranged or piled one above the
other, and yet not rest on or touch each other, but have spaces between, and will
also be capable of being lowered one at a time. A stream or current of warm air
is admitted to the evaporating chamber, in order to evaporate out the solvent,
which is then drawn off in the form of vapour, to a condenser, from which it is
conducted to a reservoir for re-use when desired.
The wool may, before entering the evaporating or drying chamber, be pressed by
a platen press, or other suitable means.
At the end or bottom of the evaporating chamber is arranged an airlock or exit
chamber similar in general construction to the receiving chamber before mentioned,
and provided with doors suitably arranged to prevent the escape of any vapour of
solvent to the atmosphere while the boxes of wool are being passed out of the
apparatus. This exit chamber may be connected by pipe-work with the same
vapour recovery apparatus as the receiving chamber.
From the said exit chamber or air-lock, the wool may be conveyed mechanically,
or otherwise, to a series of tanks which may be arranged like those in the degreasing
chamber, wherein it is washed by dipping mechanically, in warm water, or in soap
and warm water, to improve its colour and further purify it, the grease having been
removed during the passage through the degreasing chamber, and the volatile
solvent or spirit during the passage through the evaporating chamber. Or the
wool may be removed from the trays after leaving the exit chamber, and be washed
in any ordinary suitable wool-washing machine, and be dried in an ordinary drying
chamber after having been passed between rollers to squeeze out the water.
And in order that my invention may be readily understood, I will describe the
same fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a general view of one arrangement of apparatus constructed according
to my invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation, Figure 3 a plan, and Figure 4 an end elevation,
partly in section, of an arrangement forming a battery.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section, to a larger scale, showing the receiving
chamber and a portion of the degreasing chamber, with the solvent tanks for use
with this latter arrangement.
Figure 6 is a vertical section, also to a larger scale, showing the upper part of
the evaporating or drying chamber.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section of the receiving chamber, or entry air-lock,
showing a box or tray in position, and the means for passing the same into the
degreasing chamber.
Figure 8 is a transverse section of the degreasing chamber showing one of the
boxes or trays in its lowered position therein.
Figure 9 is a half vertical section showing the arrangement of the vapour-tight
doors of the receiving chamber or air lock.
Figure 10 is a detail view representing the means for lowering the boxes into,
and raising them from, the solvent tanks.
Figure 11 shows, in section, the arrangement for permitting the boxes in the
degreasing chamber to be dipped, while those in the evaporating or drying chamber
are being lowered down the same.
Figures 12 and 13 represent, in side and end elevations respectively, a construction
of box for use where a vertical form of drying chamber is adopted.
Figure 14 is a side elevation and Figure 15 an end elevation of a frame for
dipping the boxes of wool in the solvent, and which may be used when a horizontal
form of drying chamber is adopted.

page_text: Figures 16 and 17 represent in plan and side elevation respectively, a form of
box suitable for use with the aforesaid frames.
Throughout the figures the same letters of reference indicate like parts.
A represents the receiving chamber or entry air-lock; B the degreasing
chamber C the solvent receiving tanks arranged therein; D the boxes or trays
for containing the wool; E the evaporating or drying chamber; and F the exit
chamber or exit air-lock.
The apparatus may be arranged as shown in Figure 1, that is to say, with only
a single degreasing chamber B and drying chamber E, or a battery of two or more
degreasing and drying chambers may be arranged side by side, and worked
simultaneously, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.
The boxes D, containing the wool, are admitted to the receiving chamber A
through a vapour-tight sliding door a, and pass out of it through a similar sliding
door a* at its other end, into the degreasing chamber B. These doors are arranged
in frames a', and are lowered or opened, and raised or closed, by vertical screw
threaded spindles a², which may be operated, through suitable gearing, by hand, or
otherwise. They are rendered vapour tight by having their facings machined, or
by the employment of any suitable packing.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 2 to 6, the boxes are run up to the
receiving chamber on rails a³, and the door a being opened, they pass onto rails a*
in the said chamber. The door a is then closed, and the door a* is opened to allow
the boxes to be transferred to the degreasing chamber. This is effected by means
of endless chains a³, each having a dog a adapted to engage and push forward
the box. These chains a pass over chain wheels a' carried by spindles a³, and
driven in any convenient manner. When the boxes reach the degreasing
chamber B, they engage the fluted rollers b, which are arranged at each side
thereof, and by which the dipping operation is effected, as hereinafter fully
described. These fluted rollers b are secured upon rock shafts 6' which are
supported in bearings 62 carried by arms or brackets secured to the sides of the
chamber. The shafts b' extend the whole length of the degreasing chamber,
and are provided at their outer ends with pinions 63 (see Figures 4 and 11)
engaging racks worked by a crank disc 6' through the medium of a connecting
rod b, by which a reciprocating motion is imparted to the shafts b¹. To
counterbalance the weight of the boxes resting on the rollers, the said shafts b¹
are provided at their extremities with sheaves b' from which counterweight 18
are suspended. The teeth or flutings of all the rollers 6 are arranged in line,
so that the boxes can be pushed from one pair of rollers to the next, there being
one such pair for each of the tanks C. When a box of wool has been transferred
to the rollers, it is dipped as many times as desired in the solvent in the first tank,
by rocking or reciprocating the shafts 6'. It is then raised out of the solvent and
the incoming box pushes it along the rollers until it comes above the next tank, the
said incoming box then taking its place over the first tank. Both boxes are then
dipped simultaneously, and raised prior to being pushed forward by a fresh box,
and so on.
After having thus passed through the degreasing chamber B, the boxes are
transferred to the evaporating or drying chamber E. In the upper part of this
chamber, and on each side thereof, is situated a fluted roller e, corresponding in size
with the fluted rollers b, and in line therewith, but mounted, as shown in Figure 11,
by means of a sleeve e¹ on the shaft b', the said sleeve also carrying a worm wheel et
by which independent movement can be imparted to the fluted rollers e. On each
side of the chamber E, at regular intervals below one another, are arranged shafts e³
each carrying a pair of pinions e¹ and a worm wheel e. Outside the chamber, are
screw-threaded vertical spindles or worm shafts e engaging with the worm
wheels e, e, and operated by hand, or otherwise, through suitable gear.
As the boxes of wool are pushed from the degreasing chamber B, they pass
onto the pair of fluted rollers e, and are lowered gradually down the drying
chamber E, to make room for the succeeding boxes, by rotating the fluted rollers e

page_text: and pinions. During this time they are subjected to the action of a current of
warm air, by which the solvent retained by the wool is evaporated, and on reaching
the bottom of said drying chamber, they fall upon a spring platform e', whence they
are transferred to the exit chamber F, by endless chains arranged in like manner
to those a³ above described, and which chamber is also of similar construction and
arrangement to the chamber A, save that its vapour tight doors are opened by
raising, and closed by lowering. They are then removed to a series of washing
tanks G (shewn in Figure 1) containing water, or soap and water, or any other
suitable washing liquid, in which they are dipped for the purpose of washing the
wool, in the same way as they are dipped in the solvent tanks C.
The solvent tanks are separated from each other by partitions c and may be
arranged either so that the solvent is at the same level in all, as in Figure 5, or at
successively higher levels, as in Figure 1; and communication may be effected
between the tanks, as in Figure 5, by apertures c' in the partitions c, or by
allowing the solvent to overflow from one tank to the next, or by other convenient
!means.
The solvent for each degreasing chamber is stored in a tank H, and is drawn by
the pump H through the pipes into the tank C, which is farthest from the
receiving chamber A, and flows towards the said chamber, from tank to tank,
through the whole series, so that the wool travelling in the opposite direction
meets cleaner solvent in each tank through which it passes, and is consequently
washed or dipped in cleaner solvent as more dirt, grease, and grit are removed
from it.
A system of pipes c², provided with cocks c³, enables the solvent and sediment to
be run from the tanks into one or other of the stills I, wherein the solvent is
distilled from the impurities it had taken up, and after being condensed in the
worms i, connected to a pair of vapour drums or mains i, 2, is returned to the
tank H. Each of the stills I, has a draw off cock 3 for running off the impurities
separated from the solvent and has also a steam jacket * provided with steam inlet
and exhaust pipes. Two such stills are employed so that after one of them has
been at work some time, it can be shut off for cleaning out, and the other one be
brought into use. I prefer to shut off the still to be cleaned out, some time before
opening its draw off cock 3, in order to allow any residual spirit to be completely
extracted from the grease and impurities.
The arrangement for producing the current of warm air in the drying chamber E,
or in each drying chamber, and for recovering the solvent removed in the drying
process, is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4. The chamber E, or each chamber, is
provided with air chests E¹, E³, arranged one on each side, and the walls of said
chamber E are perforated to permit the passage of air through it from the
-chest E to the chest E. A fan or blower J draws warm air from a heater J' and
passes it to the air chest E¹, baffles E³ being arranged in this chest to more
effectually distribute the air. The warm air after passing through the chamber E,
and acting on the wool, then passes to the other air chest E, whence it passes
through a system of pipes K provided with valves K', and in the case of the
battery arrangement (Figures 2, 3 and 4) with valves K* for shutting off one or
other of the chambers E. The pipes K conduct the air through the stills I (in
which the air promotes the evaporation of the solvent) to the aforesaid
condensing worms i, where the vapour is condensed. The air is then returned
through a pipe K' to the heater Ji, and thus circulates continuously through the
apparatus.
In order to effect the recovery of any solvent that may escape from each
degreasing chamber and drying chamber, into their respective receiving and exit
chambers, these latter chambers are connected with a condenser L, by pipes L³,
the air mixed with the vapour being drawn by an exhauster or a pump L' from the
said chambers to the condenser, wherein the solvent is caused to condense, and from
which it is returned to the tank H through the pipe L³.
In the construction of box shown in Figures 12 and 13, the sides, bottom, and

page_text: top thereof are formed of wire gauze secured in a suitable framework, and racks &
are provided at the ends to engage with the fluted rollers b, runners d', being als..
provided to facilitate the movement of the box. d³ are buffers for lessening shock
when the hoxes are pushed against each other, and also for ensuring proper spacing
of these boxes in the degreasing chamber B. In this arrangement the boxes are
provided with flap or detachable covers d' hinged to the ends thereof at d, and said:
covers are formed in two parts, joined at de for the purpose of holding down the:
wool when the boxes are dipped into the solvent.
According to another arrangement, the boxes are supported, while in the:
degreasing chamber, by means of dipping frames M (such as shewn in Figures 14-
and 15) consisting of a strong metal structure or framework m provided with
racks m', and rails m². One of these frames is arranged, as shewn in Figure 1,
over each of the tanks C, and is supported by pinions m³, on a rocking shaft m
operated by a rack m engaging a toothed wheel thereon, or otherwise. These
frames are arranged with their rails m' in line, so that the boxes can travel from
frame to frame. The boxes are passed from the chamber A into the frames by
means of endless chains and dogs, as above described, for passing them on to the
fluted rollers, although I do not confine myself to the use of these means, in either
case, as it is obvious that any other convenient contrivance may be adopted.
By rocking the shaft mt, the frames M, with the boxes therein, can be raised
and lowered, and the dipping effected as many times as desired, the boxes already
in the frames being pushed forward the distance of a tank by each incoming box.
With such an arrangement, a horizontal drying chamber may be employed,
through which the boxes would be passed on rails disposed in line with the rails m²,
and the wool would be dried by warm air in the same manner as that previously-
described. The boxes used with this arrangement are adapted to run on the
rails m³, instead of being supported by the reciprocating fluted rollers. For this:
purpose they are, as shewn in Figures 16 and 17, provided with horizontal grooved
wheels d', and are formed in two parts d', the smaller of which fits telescopically
inside the other, so as to allow of different quantities of wool being placed therein,.
and also to allow, if desired, of their being passed through a suitable platen press,.
or rollers, to squeeze out some of the solvent, prior to their passage through the
drying chamber. The sides of these boxes are perforated, and their bottoms d³,.
and covers d are formed of wire gauze. These covers may be hinged, as shewn,.
or they may be loose in order to rest upon and hold down the wool.
Suitable stuffing boxes are provided where necessary, as for instance, at the ends
of the screw-threaded spindles a², and shafts 6' and e³, to prevent escape of vapour
of solvent from the apparatus.
Glazed openings or sight-holes may also be provided where necessary, to
permit of inspection of the interior of the apparatus during working.
Although my process and apparatus are specially designed for treating wool,.
and woolly fleeces, it is obvious that such process and apparatus may be employed
for treating other materials that can be conveniently placed in trays or boxes,.
such for example as cotton waste, leather scraps, &c., &c.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same may be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The process of scouring, degreasing, and cleansing wool and woolly fleeces,
consisting in dipping the same in a series of tanks through which volatile solvent
is caused to pass in a direction contrary to that in which the wool is passing, so that
the wool meets cleaner solvent in each succeeding tank, substantially as set forth.
1. In the above claimed herein described process of scouring, degreasing, and
cleansing wool and woolly fleeces, in which the volatile solvent and wool pass in
contrary directions to each other, causing the volatile solvent to circulate in a con-
inuous cycle through a series of tanks, and through apparatus in which it is.

page_text: evaporated and recovered for re-use, and afterwards drying such wool by means
of warm air also caused to circulate in a continuous cycle through a heater, a drying
chamber, a heater, and a condenser, substantially as set forth.
3. 2. Vapour tight apparatus for carrying out the above claimed herein described
process, consisting of a series of solvent receiving tanks arranged in a degreasing
chamber having an air lock at its inlet, and connected with an evaporating or drying
chamber having an air-look at its exit, and through which drying chamber warm
air is caused to pass for drying the wool; means for dipping the wool into the
said tanks, and for passing it through the drying chamber; and means for re-
covering the solvent for re-use, substantially as described.
4. 3. In apparatus as above claimed, the means for successively dipping the boxes
or trays of wool into the solvent receiving tanks, consisting of the fluted rollers b,
mounted on rock shafts b' driven by reciprocating racks 64, said rollers being
arranged in pairs and adapted to engage racks on the boxes or trays, substantially
ns described and shewn with reference to Figures 5, 10 and 11 of the drawings.
5. 4. In apparatus as above claimed, the means for successively dipping the boxes
or trays of wool into the solvent receiving tanks, consisting of the frames M having
rails m², and racks m', supported and operated by pinions m³ on rock shafts m³
driven by reciprocating racks m and arranged within the degreasing chamber,
substantially as described and shewn with reference to Figures 1, 14 and 15 of the
drawings.
6.5. In apparatus as above claimed, the combination with the receiving chamber
or air lock having vapour tight doors a, a, and rails a³, of suitably operated
endless chains a passing over wheels a' and provided with dogs a' for engaging the
boxes or trays of wool, and transferring them from the said chamber to the
degreasing chamber, substantially as herein before described and shewn with
reference to Figures 5 and 7 of the drawings.
76. The evaporating or drying chamber provided with air chests having baffles,
and with means for passing the boxes or trays of wool through the said chamber,
and having an exit air lock through which said boxes or trays pass out, substantially
as described.
& 7. The combination with the evaporating or drying chamber, as above claimed,
of the fluted rollers e and pinions et for lowering the boxes or trays of wool, and of
the worm shafts e, and worm wheels e², e, for operating said fluted rollers and
pinions, substantially as described and shewn with reference to Figures 4 and 6 of
the drawings.
8. The perforated or wire gauze boxes or trays for holding the wool, having
buffers, hinged and jointed flap covers, and racks adapted to engage fluted rollers
in the degreasing chamber, whereby said boxes or trays are dipped into and
withdrawn from the solvent tanks, substantially as described and as shewn with
reference to Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings.
10. 9. The perforated or wire gauze boxes or trays for holding the wool, having
their body formed of two parts arranged telescopically, and provided with guide
rollers adapted to run on rails within the dipping frames, substantially as described
and shewn with reference to Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings.
1. 10. The improved vapour tight apparatus, having its parts so constructed,
arranged and combined that the degreasing, scouring, and cleansing process is
carried on in a continuous cycle with practically no loss of solvent, substantially as
herein described and shewu with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.
12 11. The improved vapour tight apparatus, having its parts constructed,
arranged and combined to form a battery, whereby the degreasing, scouring, and
cleansing process is carried on in a continuous cycle, with practically no loss of
solvent, substantially as described and shewn with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5
and 6 of the drawings.
13 12. My improved process of scouring, degreasing, and cleansing wool, and
woolly fleeces, whereby little or no loss of solvent takes place, the wool er woolly

page_text: fleeces need not be handled during the process, and the same is treated in such a
form that it readily parts with all impurities, without being torn or broken by
mechanical devices, substantially as herein described.
Dated this 21st day of February 1894.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 6, Victoria Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.