ImproveMENTS IN SCOURING, Washing, BLEACHING, AND DYEING FIBROUS MATERIALS IN THE RAW AND MANUFACTURED OR PARTLY MANUFACTURED STATE, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THESE PURPOSES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Nesham Kirkham, of West Brompton,
Vernon Francis Ensom, of Highgate, both in the County of Mid-
dlesex, and George Spence, of Pendleton, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of “ImproveMENTS IN SCOURING, Washing, BLEACHING,
AND DYEING FIBROUS MATERIALS IN THE RAW AND MANUFACTURED OR PARTLY
MANUFACTURED STATE, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THESE PURPOSES."
, '
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Nesham Kirk-
ham, Vernon Francis Ensom, and George Spence at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 10th
March 1871.
We, THOMAS NESHAM KIRKHAM, of West Brompton, VERNON FRANCIS
ENSOM, of Highgate, both in the County of Middlesex, and GEORGE
SPENCE, of Pendleton, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCOURING, WASHING,
BLEACHING, AND DYEING FIBROUS MATERIALS IN THE RAW AND MANUFACTURED.

page_text: OR PARTLY MANUFACTURED STATE, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THESE
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
In scouring, washing, bleaching, and dyeing fibrous materials in the
raw state it is now customary to employ workmen to constantly turn
over the fibre and keep it agitated by means of polls or forks, or self-
acting rakes or forks are employed for the purpose. This operation is
generally called stanging.
According to our Invention in order to effect the stanging or tossing
of the fibre we employ compressed air either in a heated or cold state or
admixed with steam. For this purpose the fibrous material is placed
into pans, vats, or receivers, having perforated false bottoms, and below
the perforated false bottoms air under pressure is admitted by a pipe or
pipes passing up through the bottom of the vat, pan, or receiver, and in
order to disperse the compressed air and prevent it from simply forcing its
way upwards through the central portion of the perforated false bottom.
we fix at a short distance above the orifice of the pipe by which the air
is introduced a spreading plate, which may be plain or perforated. The
air thus admitted below the perforated false bottom rises up through the
liquor in the pan, vat, or receiver, and keeps up a constant circulation
and agitation, and tosses or stangs the fibre. By employing compressed
air as above described to stangs agitate and toss the fibre during the
washing process we are enabled (if it be desired to do so) to place into
the washing vats or pans bales of fibre without previously breaking them
up and to at once commence the washing process. The bales will then
become quickly broken down and disintegrated by the stanging and
tossing action of the compressed air as it forces its way upwards through
the liquid. In the process of dyeing also not only will the " stanging"
be very effectually performed, but also in some cases the action of the
dye liquors upon the fibre will be greatly increased.
For supplying liquids to the pans, vats, or receivers and withdrawing
them therefrom we prefer to employ an arrangement of apparatus similar
to that described in the Specification of a Patent granted to us on the
Twelfth day of September One thousand eight hundred and seventy,
No. 2462, the pumping or working cylinder being also employed for the
purpose of forcing air to the bottom of the pans, vats, or receivers. An
air vessel is by preference interposed between the pumping cylinder and
the vat, pan, or receiver to form a reservoir of compressed air; and the
apparatus is provided with suitable valves for controlling the passage of

page_text: liquids or æeriform bodies to and from the vats or receivers and the
working cylinder.
If the materials are in the form of hanks we place the banks on to
and around a perforated drum capable of being expanded in its diameter,
so that after the hanks have been placed around it it may be expanded
and the hanks held securely whilst scouring, bleaching, or dycing liquors
or bodies are forced through them from the interior of the cylinder or are
drawn back through them into the cylinder, as described in the
Specification of a Patent (No. 492) in the year One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-two. Woven fabrics and piece goods may be similarly
treated.
If the materials are in the form of cops or bobbins we mount the
cops or bobbins on perforated spindles in order that the scouring,
washing, or bleaching liquid may be forced or drawn through them, as
described in the Specification before mentioned, and these spindles we
fix radially around a cylinder, each spindle being also, by preference,
caused to incline upwards. The liquid with which the cops or bobbins
are to be treated is either forced into the cylinder and out through the
cops or bobbins or is drawn back through them into the cylinder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Nesham Kirkham, Vernon Francis Ensom,
and George Spence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th
September 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
NESHAM KIRKHAM, of West Brompton, VERNON FRANCIS ENSOM, of
Highgate, both in the County of Middlesex, and GEORGE SPENCE, of
Pendleton, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said Thomas Nesham Kirkham, Vernon
Francis Ensom, and George Spence, Her special license that we, the said
Thomas Nesham Kirkham, Vernon Francis Ensom, and George Spence,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said

page_text: Thomas Nesham Kirkliam, Vernon Francis Enson, and George Spence,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agrec with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SCOURING, WASHING, BLEACHING, AND DYEING FIBROUS MATERIALS IN THE RAW
AND MANUFACTURED OR PARTLY MANUFACTURED STATE, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE
USED FOR THESE PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
the said Thomas Nesham Kirkham, Vernon Francis Ensom, and George
Spence, our exccutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under our or their hands and scals, or under the hand and seal of one of
us or them, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Nesham Kirkham, on
behalf of myself and the said Vernon Francis Ensom and George Spence,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
In scouring, washing, bleaching, and dyeing fibrous materials in the
raw state it is now customary to employ workmen to constantly turn
over the fibre, and keep it agitated by means of poles or forks, or
self-acting rakes or forks are employed for the purpose; this operation
is generally called "stanging."
According to our Invention in order to effect the stanging or tossing
of the fibre we employ compressed air, either in a heated or cold state,
or admixed with steam. For this purpose the fibrous material is placed
into pans, vats, or receivers having perforated false bottoms, and below
the perforated false bottoms air under pressure is admitted by a pipe or
pipes passing up through the bottom of the vat, pan, or receiver, and in
order to disperse the compressed air and prevent it from simply forcing
its way upwards through the central portion of the perforated false
bottom, we fix at a short distance above the orifice of the pipe by which
the air is introduced.a spreading plate, which may be plain or perforated;
the air thus admitted below the perforated false bottom rises up through

page_text: the liquor in the pan, vat, or receiver, and keeps up a constant circulation
and agitation, and tosses or stangs the fibre. By employing compressed
air as above described to stang, agitate, and toss the fibre during the
washing process, we are enabled (if it be desired to do so) to place
into the washing vats or pans bales of fibre, without previously breaking
them up, and to at once commence the washing process, the bales will
then become quickly broken down and disintegrated by the stanging and
tossing action of the compressed air as it forces its way upwards through
the liquid. In the process of dyeing also not only will the "stanging "
be very effectually performed, but also in some cases the action of the
dye liquors upon the fibre will be greatly increased.
,
For supplying liquids to the pans, vats, or receivers, and withdrawing
them therefrom, we prefer to employ an arrangement of apparatus
similar to that described in the Specification of a Patent granted to us
on the Twelfth day of September One thousand eight hundred and
seventy, No. 2462, the pumping or working cylinder being also employed
for the purpose of forcing air to the bottom of the pans, vats, or receivers.'"
An air vessel is by preference interposed between the pumping cylinder
and the vat, pan, or receiver to form a reservoir of compressed air, and
the apparatus is provided with suitable valves for controlling the passage
of liquids or aeriform bodies to and from the vats or receivers and the:
working cylinder.
If the materials are in the form of hanks we place the hanks on to
and around a perforated drum, capable of being expanded in its diameter,
so that after the hanks have been placed around it it may be expanded,
and the hanks held securely whilst scouring, bleaching, or dyeing liquors
or bodies are forced through them from the interior of the cylinder, or
are drawn back through them into the cylinder, as described in the
Specification of a Patent (No. 492) in the year One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-two. Woven fabrics and piece goods may be similarly
treated.
If the materials are in the form of cops or bobbins we mount the cops.
or bobbins on perforated spindles, in order that the scouring, washing, or
bleaching liquid may be forced or drawn through them, as described in
the Specification before mentioned, and these spindles we fix radially
around a cylinder, each spindle being also by preference caused to
incline upwards. The liquid with which the cops or bobbins are to be

page_text: Sheets 1 and 1* represent a general plan of the machine or apparatus
shewing the working cylinder, the air vessel or accumulator, the cisterns
used for mixing the scouring solutions, dye wares, &c. in the working
cisterns, or those in which the materials undergo treatment, also a pan
heated by a fire underneath, in which materials are also treated, and the
necessary connection pipes, stop valves, &c.
Sheets 2 and 2* shew a longitudinal elevation of the same, taken ou
the line A, B, on the plan.
Sheet 3 is a sectional end elevation corresponding with the line C, D,
on the plan.
Sheet 4 shews the expanding cylinder drum, or spindle for the
treatment of yarns in the tank.
Figure 1 is a front and Figure 2 an end view of a drum or spindle of
rectangular form. As will be seen it is composed of two parts M and N
sliding telescopically into each other, and both fully perforated. To
the ends on the outside of one of them are affixed two racks O, O, and
through the other part N is passed a shaft P having upon it two
pinions Q, Q, and which work into the racks O. Upon the shaft Pare
also a handle R for turning it, and a ratchet wheel and paul S for
holding it wherever it may be set. On the under side of tlic drum is
affixed a conical branch T, which is fixed on the bottom of one of the
cisterns or pans when at work, and through which the solutions are
passed to the interior of the drum. In putting on the hanks it is merely
necessary to draw the two parts M and N together by turning the
handle R, and when they are on to afterwards expand them, and tighten
up the hanks by turning the same handle in the contrary direction.
In Drawings, Sheet 1, 1*, 2, 2*, and 3 the same letters apply to the
same parts in all the Figures.
A is the working cylinder similar to that described in the Specification
of the Patent granted to us on the 12th day of September 1870, No. 2462,
and is provided with equilibrium valve and gearing to work the same,

page_text: either self-acting or by hand, together with other accessories, as fully
particularised in the Specification referred to. a is the suction valve
placed at the top of the working cylinder A, through which the air is
drawn into it when pumping compressed air, and which also answers as
a delivery valve for water when washing out the cylinder. It is con-
structed with chase or play in the screw spindle, so that it either serves
as a clack valve, or can be screwed down as a stop valve when required
to be closed. b, the delivery valve when pumping air into the accu-
mulator. It is of similar construction to the valve a, so that it can
be closed when drawing air from the accumulator B to the working
cisterns D. B, the accumulator or air vessel; c, stop valve for opening
or closing communication with the accumulator B; C, C₁, C", are the
mixing cisterns in which the solutions or liquors for dyeing, &c., are
prepared, and as they are mixed in a concentrated state these cisterns
are of smaller capacity than the working cisterns D in which the
liquors are afterwards diluted or let down in strength before being used.
d, pipe for supplying water to the mixing cisterns C; e, stop valves in
ditto; f, perforated steam pipes on the bottoms of the mixing cisterns C
for heating or boiling the liquors therein; g, stop valves in ditto; h, pipe
forming communication between the mixing cisterns C and the working
cisterns D for the conveyance of liquors, &c.; i, stop valves in pipe /
for opening or breaking connection with the mixing cisterns C; j, pipe
from the first mixing cistern C" to the working cylinder A. The
cistern C being used for one class of liquors requires to be kept distinct
from the other mixing cisterns C and C' and their connection valves, &c.
, a stop valve in pipe j; 1, pipe through which are forced back the
liquors or solutions from the working cylinder A into the mixing cisterns
C, C¹ m, stop valve in pipe l; D, D¹, D", D¹¹, are the working cisterns
in which the materials are operated upon or treated; n, stop valve in
pipe for turning into any of the working cisterns D the liquors
from the mixing cisterns C; C'; o, water supply pipe to the working
cisterns D; p, a stop valve in pipe o to each working cistern D; q are
separate connection pipes from each working cistern D to the working
cylinder A; », stop valves in the pipe q; s is a small "by-pass" pipe
and valve placed round each of the stop valves for more minutely
regulating the supply of compressed air to the working cisterns D than
could conveniently be done by the larger valves r; t, distributing plates
placed over the openings for the pipes in the bottoms of the working
cisterns D for dispersing or diffusing the compressed air on its entrance;

page_text: they are slightly perforated; u, perforated steam pipes placed near the
bottoms of the working cisterns D for heating or boiling the liquors
therein; v, stop valves in the steam pipe u; w, perforated plates over
the steam pipes u upon which are placed the materials to be treated
or operated upon; x, outlet or drain pipes for running off the spent
liquors, &c., from the working cisterns when done with; y, stop valves
in drain pipe ; E is a pan heated by a fire underneath in which
materials are treated in the same manner as in the working cisterns D;
1, pipe connecting pan E to the working cylinder A; 2, stop valves in
pipe 1 for breaking the connection. There are two of them shewn
in this instance simply for convenience of working in consequence of
the pan being placed at a considerable distance from the working
cylinder. 3, small "by-pass" valve. for regulating the supply of com-
pressed air to the pan E, as previously described in those for the working
cisterns, and as shewn at 8; 4, perforated plate placed near the bottom
of the pan E, which serves the purpose both of a distributing plate for
the compressed air and also of a receiver for the material under treat-
ment; 5, drain or outlet pipe from pan E for drawing off the spent
liquors or other contents; 6, stop valve in drain pipe 5.
Having described the various parts of the apparatus the application
of them for effecting the scouring, washing, bleaching, and dyeing of
fibrous materials is accomplished as follows:-In treating in the raw or
unmanufactured state wool, hair, cotton, china grass, or other fibrous
material, one of the working cisterns D is first filled about three-fourths
full of water which is heated to the required temperature by turning
steam into it by opening the valve that belongs to that cistern. The
materials to form the scouring solution are then put in and mixed with
the water. The solution is now heated by again turning in steam by
the valve as before. The wool or other material to be treated is then
put in, and compressed air to " 'stang" or "toss" it is either drawn in
from the accumulator by opening the valve c and the valve ☞ that
belongs to this cistern and closing the valve b, or it is pumped in directly
by the working cylinder A, the valve c being in this case shut and the
valve opened. A sufficient quantity of air having been introduced
to properly effect the "stanging" or tossing" the contents of the
cistern are allowed to stand until the operation of scouring is properly
completed. The solution is then by means of the working cylinder
withdrawn from this working cistern and forced into another of the
65

page_text: cisterns D to be ready after being strengthened to act upon another lot
of material.
«
Washing is the next process. It is effected by turning cold water
into the cistern D which contains the material, by opening the valve p
that belongs to the cistern in use. Tossing" is then performed in the
manner previously described for scouring and the water afterwards run
off by opening one of the drain valves y. This operation is repeated
until the material is thoroughly cleansed.
Dyeing is then commenced. A mixture of liquor having been made
in the cistern C", it is when ready turned into the working cylinder A
by opening the valves and b. From thence it is forced into the
working cistern D in which the material has been left after having been
scoured and washed..
Tossing is then performed as before, the liquor being at the same
time boiled by opening the steam valve, which belongs to the cistern in
operation. This having been continued for a sufficient length of time
the liquor is withdrawn by the working cylinder and forced back either
into the mixing cistern 0" or into another of the working cisterns D,
should one of them contain material ready to undergo the same process.
Other dye liquor which has been previously prepared in one of the other
mixing cisterns C or C¹ is then passed into the working cistern D which
contains the material under treatment by opening one or each of the
valves and n, tossing " and "boiling" are again performed as
previously described in using the first liquor. If necessary the material
is then washed in the manner pointed out at the end of the scouring
operation, and the process of dyeing is completed. Dyeing in pans
instead of cisterns is conducted in precisely the same manner, the only
differerence being in 'the materials being heated by fire instead of by
steam.
$8
Hanks. In treating yarns in the hank they are first placed upon the
expanding cylinder or drum, as shewn on Sheet 4 which is then
tightened up in the manner previously stated in the description of the
Drawings. The cylinders or drums are then placed in a, cistern or
cisterns or pans, and the operation conducted by forcing through them
from the interior of the cylinder or drum or drawing back into such
cylinder, the scouring, bleaching, or dyeing liquors, as described in
the Specification of a Patent granted to us in the year of our Lord
1

page_text: 1862, No, 492, but we would state that the employment of this process
of passing and repassing the liquors through the yarns by means of
pressure, and of the apparatus required therefor, form in themselves no
part of the Invention claimed under this Patent irrespective of the
construction of the expanding hank cylinder or drum and of the use of
compressed air for agitating the liquors in addition to forcing them
through by pressure. Woven fabrics and piece goods may be similarly
treated. Also cops or bobbins which are mounted for the purpose on
perforated spindles in order that the scouring, washing, or bleaching
liquor may be forced or drawn through them, as described in the Speci-
fication before mentioned, and these spindles we fix radially around a
cylinder, as shewn at Sheet 5, each spindle being by preference caused to
incline upwards, as shewn. The liquid with which the cops or bobbins
are to be treated is either forced into the cylinder and out through the
cops or bobbins, or is drawn back through them into the cylinder.
Having now described the nature of our Invention and the manner
in which the same may be performed, we wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that what we claim is,―
1. The employment of compressed air either in a heated or cold
state, or admixed with steam for the purpose of tossing and keeping
in agitation fibrous materials in a raw state during the processes of
scouring, washing, bleaching, and dyeing, and which operation is
generally called " stanging Or tossing" whether the same be con-
ducted in cisterns heated by steam, or in pans having fires underneath
them, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the Drawings
annexed.
دو
66
2. The employment of compressed air in the processes of scouring,
washing, bleaching, and dyeing fibrous materials in a manufactured
or partially manufactured state in addition to passing and repassing
the liquors or solutions through them by pressure as described in
Patents formerly granted to us or some of us substantially as herein
described.
3. The construction and use of a perforated expanding cylinder, drum,
or spindle for the treatment of yarns in the bank, substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the Drawings annexeḍ.
4. The construction and use of a cylinder having a number of
perforated spindles ranged radially around it and inclining upwards for

page_text: scouring, washing, bleaching, or dyeing yarns in the form of cops or
bobbins, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Nesham Kirkham, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
one.