New or Improved Apparatus for Use in Degreasing or otherwise Cleansing Wool or other Fibres.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1895-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Apparatus for Use in Degreasing or otherwise
Cleansing Wool or other Fibres.
I, OSCAR REICHENBACH, of 3 Cromwell Crescent, South Kensington, in the
County of Loudon, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object new or improved apparatus for use in degreasing
or otherwise cleansing wool and other fibres and which is especially applicable
where it is desirable to prevent the escape of fames or vapours rising from the
liquid or solvent used.
For the purposes of my invention I feed the fibre to be treated by means of an
endless band into a shoot so hinged that the exit end thereof may be moved so as
to discharge the fibre alternately into hoppers leading to chambers or air locks at
the extremity of a hollow shaft.
This movement of the shoot I effect by gearing the spindle of one of the drums
on which the endless band travels to a worm or worm wheel, a crank pin in which
latter drives a grooved disc to which, and to the shoot which is connected to it
by a rod, an intermittent horizontal motion is imparted by the worm wheel.
The air locks at the extremity of the shaft are closed at their upper ends by
flap valves opening inwards. These flap valves are carried on shafts provided with
sector wheels and are geared to a sector connected with and actuated by the
previously mentioned worm wheel in such a manner as to alternately open and
close the valves quickly with comparatively long intervening pauses during which
the valves remain closed.
The seatings and bearing surfaces of these valves are provided with a groove into
which a liquid may be injected so as to prevent or impede the escape of vapours
from the air locks, when the valves are closed.
The lower end of the air lock is closed by a double leaved flap opening dowu-
wards and of such a construction that the valve closes or opens the lower end of
two adjoining locks alternately.
This valve is mounted on a spindle passing through & stuffing box, and carrying
a quadrant slide valve, which effects a communication between the chamber which
is being closed by the flap valve simultaneously with the closing of the valve, and a
vapour discharge pipe; at the same time cutting off the communication between
the adjoining air luck or chamber and the discharge pipe. The spindle is turned
by a sector wheel actuated by the before mentioned sector.
The shaft is provided with feeding rolls and these rolls give a reciprocating
vertical motion to rods carrying claws. The feeding rolls are driven by means
of two friction wheels and intermediate gearing. Each friction disc consists of a
number of discs of varying diameters and suitable distance pieces between these
discs.
The discs of the one wheel are mounted on a sleeve carried by a shaft in such a
manner that by moving the sleeve longitudinally on the shaft the discs are brought
into contact with discs of varying size on the other friction wheel and thereby

page_text: allowing of the speed of the shaft of the driven wheel being simply and quickly
altered.
The hollow shaft is provided with glazed sight holes and below the feed rolls
with a flap valve, which can he opened and closed at will. A vapour discharge
pipe permitting the discharge of vapour from this portion of the shaft, when
desired, is provided.
The lower part of the shaft projects into a hermetically closed washing machine
forming one of a series of such machines. The wool or other fibre having passed
through the air locks and shafts is carried forward in the machines by the following
means:
Two sets of wheels and axles arranged to turn freely in rollers are intermittently
moved backwards and forwards on the same roller paths, each set is connected by
parallel longitudinal frames passing over the axles and carrying projecting horn
plates so as to permit the frames of one set to pass uninterruptedly backwards and
forwards over the axle of the other set. The axles of the one set are connected
by connecting links keyed to the axles, to side rods to which a back and
forward motion is given by means of connecting rods and crank pins in a pair of
gear wheels revolving on pins near the extremity of the machine farthest from
.the shaft.
During the first portion of the stroke the roller frames are held in their position
by means of pawls and the roller axles on which a number of arms are keyed, will
revolve. When however the arms have attained the desired position the pawls
are released and the turning of the axles is prevented and the rollers and axles
moved bodily in a longitudinal direction until the frames are arrested. The axle
arms will then turn in an opposite direction.
The side rods carry a fixed arm, a connecting rod connects this arm with one
end of a lever, the other end of which is connected by means of a rod to one end
of a second lever mounted on an axle carried by the second roller frame. The
other end of this second lever is connected to a set of side rods (similar to the
first) which in their turn are connected by means of links to the axles of
the second set of rollers.
The axles of the rollers intervene between the two sets of side rods. The
horizontal movement of the first set of side rods will impart a similar motion to
the second set of side rods, but in the same sense during the rotation of the axles
and in an opposite sense during the back and forward motion of the cradles.
When the arms of the one set are being lowered those of the other are being raised,
the arms will then approach each other and after the termination of the longitudinal
travel the arms of the first set will be raised and the second lowered and the
respective axles and arms will recede from each other.
Near the end of the travel of the roller frames the latter strike against springs
which absorb and give out the power otherwise lost in the change of motion and
ensure a quiet and easy movement.
The roller paths may be horizontal or inclined and subsidiary side rods may
be connected to the main side rods and actuate independently axles and arms on
inclined roller paths.
The wool or other fibre is carried forward by the arms and deposited on an
endless band, thence between rolls and precipitated into a shoot hermetically
sealed by the liquid in the adjoining machine into which the shoot projects.
The atmospheric spaces of the different machines any number of which may be
arranged in series, are connected by air pipes and valves which latter permit the
air or vapour to escape from one machine to the other in a direction towards the
shaft but not in the opposite direction. The roller moving the band is mounted
on a shaft projecting through the casing of the machine and is driven by suitable
gearing, and carries geared wheels which actuate those giving motion to the side
and connecting rods.
The withdrawal of the liquid or solvent from the first washing machine into
which the shaft down which the wool is fed projects, is regulated by means of a

page_text: valve, consisting of a vessel divided into two compartments by a horizontal
partition, the liquid and atmosphere from the machine is admitted into the upper
compartment, and the atmosphere in the upper to the lower compartment, and so
operates floats governing valves thus on the liquid in the upper compartment
attaining a predetermined density, the float therein is raised so opening a valve
connected to it and permitting the escape of the liquid into the lower compartment
until the liquid in the upper compartment attains a certain density when the float
will return to its original position together with the valve the work thrown upon
which can be easily determined as the atmospheric pressure in the two compartments
is equal. The liquid in the lower compartment will on attaining a certain level
raise a float and lift a valve permitting the escape of the liquid into a pipe leading
to a heater. In the upper compartment a spring, acting on the float may be fixed,
which spring is regulated by a rod projecting through a cover of the chamber, and
permits of varying the load on the float in any desired manner.
The liquid from the second machine is also conducted to the heater, the pipes
used for this purpose being provided with valves between the heater and machines
to prevent any return flow of the liquids or gases which may be generated in the
heater.
From the machines pipes convey any sludge which may collect to small
hermetically closed settling tanks forming the lower extremities of casings for
worms whose upper ends pass through stuffing boxes and which lift the sludge into
boxes from which it is carried to the pipes leading to the heater or to closed
settling vessels from which the liquid may be drawn off for treatment and the
remaining sludge conveyed to a still. The heads of the worm casings are connected
by air pipes with the atmospheres of the respective machines which they serve,
are provided with a water service for washing out purposes.
and
The liquids as previously stated are conveyed to heaters, heated by water from
a condenser and hot liquids from distilling apparatus, and from the heater into
stills. The stills which are provided with suitable heating coils consist of an outer
and an inner vessel, the inner vessel being in the form of an open pot with its rim
standing at a higher level than that at which the liquid in the outer vessel is
maintained. The liquid from the heater is discharged into the pot and overflows
in a thin sheet into the outer closed vessel, from near the bottom of which it is
withdrawn by a rising pipe and conveyed to a valve regulating the level of the
liquid in the outer closed vessel of the still.
Fumes rising from the liquid pass through a screen on their way to a condenser.
Such sludge or liquid as may be desired is drawn off direct into a settling tank
which has a closed top but is provided with a vapour discharge pipe.
The liquid from the stills after passing the regulating valve and through the
heater is led to the same or other settling tank.
The various stills are so connected that the liquid from either of the machines
may be conveyed to any of the stills, and are provided with the requisite
thermometers, gauges, washing out pipes &c.
The vapour from the still passes to a condenser and the condensed vapour to a
closed water scaled or other vessel, provided with a vapour discharge pipe.
The depth of the water seal is maintained constant in this valve by means of a
valve provided with two floats, one submerged partially in the solvent, the other
floating near the surface of the water. The one end of a water supply pipe is
connected to one float, and has two joints so as to permit rise and fall freely at one
end, that end being at the same time connected to a, to it, relatively fixed pipe.
The second float is connected to a lever and acts on a valve connected to the first
float, and communicating with the water supply pipe and is acted upon by any
variation in the vertical distance between the two floats. The one float is connected
to a valve regulating the admission and escape of the solvent at any desire level.
The vessel is provided with a water overflow pipe with a syphou trap. From the
vessel the solvent is pumped to an overhead reservoir and thence through a supply
regulating valve to the first machine.

page_text: All the vapour discharge pipes mentioned are connected to a scrubber or other
vessel for the recovery of vapours.
Dated this 21st day of April 1894
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
New or Improved Apparatus for Use in Degreasing or otherwise
Cleansing Wool or other Fibres.
I, OSCAR REICHENBACH, of 3 Cromwell Crescent, South Kensington, in the
County of London, Civil 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 :-
'
My invention has for its object a new or improved apparatus for use in degreasing
or otherwise cleansing wool and other fibres, and which is especially applicable
where it is desirable to prevent the escape of fumes or vapours rising from the
liquid or solvent used, as in the system embraced in Patent No. 3484 granted to me
the 17th Feb. 1894.
In the accompanying drawings apparatus constructed according to my present
invention is shown and hereinafter described in conjunction with the system
embraced in my above mentioned earlier Patent in order that it may be better
understood.
In these drawings:-
Fig.
apparatus;
:-
is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan of washing machines and general
Fig. 3 a form, and Fig. 4 a side elevation of air chambers and gear for working
doors and valves of same;
Fig. 5 an elevation of gear for moving textile fibres forward in tanks; Fig. 6 an
elevation, and Fig. 6A a section of modification of same; Fig. 7 an elevation, and
Fig. 7 a section of a further modification'of same;
Fig. 8 an elevation and section of valve for drawing off liquids from tanks;
Fig. 9 an elevation of still, and Fig. 10 an elevation of valve for regulating
depth of water scal in tank.
The fibre to be treated is fed by means of an endless band a (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4)
into a shoot so hinged that the exit end thereof may be moved so as to discharge
the fibre alternately into hoppers c leading to chambers or air locks d at the extremity
of a hollow shaft e.
This movement of the shoot I effect by gearing the spindle of one of the drums
on which the endless band travels by a worm f to a worm wheel g, a crank pin in
which latter drives a grooved disc to which, and to the shoot connected to it by a
rod i, an intermittent horizontal motion is imported by the worm wheel.
The air locks at the extremity of the shaft are closed at their upper ends by flap
valves k opening inwards. These flap valves are carried on shafts provided with
sector wheels and are geared to a sector m connected with and actuated by the
previously mentioned worm wheel in such a manner as to alternately open and close
the valves quickly with comparatively long intervening pauses during which the
valves remain closed.
The seatings and bearing surfaces of these valves are provided with grooves
into which a liquid may be injected so as to prevent or impede the escape
of vapours
from the air locks, when the valves are closed.
The lower end of the air lock is closed by a double lever flap n opening downwards

page_text: and of such a construction that the valve closes or opens the lower end or two
adjoining air locks alternately.
This valve is mounted on a spindle passing through a stuffing box, and carrying
a quadrant slide valve o which effects a communication between the chamber, which
is being closed by the flap valve, simultaneously with the closing of the valve, and
a vapour discharge pipe; at the same time cutting off the communication between
the adjoining air lock or chamber and the discharge pipe. The spindle is turned
by a sector wheel p actuated by the before mentioned sector m.
The shaft is provided with feeding rolls and these rolls give a reciprocating
vertical motion to rods carrying claws. The feeding rolls are driven by means of
two friction wheels and intermediate gearing, said friction discs consisting of a
number of discs of varying diameters with suitable distance pieces between them.
The discs of the one wheel are mounted on a sleeve carried by a shaft in such a
manner that by moving the sleeve longitudinally on the shaft the discs are brought
into contact with discs of varying size on the other friction wheel and thereby
allowing of the speed of the shaft of the driven wheel being simply and quickly
altered.
The hollow shaft is provided with glazed sight holes and below the feed rolls
with a flap valve s, which can be opened and closed at will. A vapour discharge
pipe permitting the discharge of vapour from this portion of the shaft, when
desired, is also provided.
The lower part of the shaft projects into a hermetically closed washing machine t
forming one of a series of such machines. The wool or other fibre having passed
through the air locks and shafts is carried forward in the machines by the following
manner :-
The
Two sets of wheels y and and axles (Figs. 5, 6 and 6^) arranged to turn.
freely in the wheels are intermittently moved backwards and forwards on the same
roller paths, each set is connected by parallel longitudinal frames a passing over the
axles and carrying projecting horn plates so as to permit the frames of one set to
pass uninterruptedly backwards and forwards over the axle of the other set.
axles of the one set are connected by connecting links t, keyed to the axles, to side
rods u to which a back and forward motion is given by means of connecting rods
and crank pins in a pair of gear wheels revolving on pins near the extremity of the
machine farthest from the shaft or by any other desirable manner.
During the first portion of the stroke the roller frames are held in their position
by means of pawls and the roller axles on which a number of arms are keyed,
will revolve; when however the arms have attained the desired position the pawls
are released and the turning of the axles is prevented and the rollers and axles
moved bodily in a longitudinal direction until the frames are at rest, when the axle
arms will turn in an opposite direction.
The side rods carry a fixed arm w (Fig. 5), and a connecting rod connects this
arm with one end of a lever y the other end of which is connected by means of a
rod to one end of a second lever a¹ mounted on an axle carried by the second
roller frame. The other end of this second lever is connected to a set of side rods
(similar to the first), which in their turn are connected by means of links to the
axles of the second set of rollers said axles intervening between the two sets of
side rods. The horizontal movement of the first set of side rods will impart a
similar motion to the second set of side rods, but in the same sense during the
rotation of the axles and in an opposite sense during the back and forward motion
of the cradles or frames. When the arms of the one set are being lowered those
of the other are being raised, the arms will then approach each other and after the
termination of the longitudinal travel the arms of the first set will be raised
and the second lowered and the respective axles and arms will recede from each
other.
Figs. 6, 6 show a similar arrangement as that shown in Fig. 5, the fork however
consisting of pairs to which a nearly vertical motion is given when passing into
and out of the liquid by means of crank axles.

page_text: Near the end of the travel of the roller frames the latter strikes against springs
which absorb and give out the power otherwise lost in the change of motion and
ensure a quiet and easy movement.
The roller paths may be horizontal or inclined and subsidiary side rods may be
connected to the main side rods and actuate independently axles and arms on
inclined roller paths.
Figs. 7 and 7 show a further modification of the gear. Bell cranks n² 2 carrying
the forks pon one end turn on pins carried by the frames 62 and are connected
at their other ends to and moved by the frames ad. A back and forward motion
is communicated to the side frames a² by the rods through the pawls 2 and 8²
and to the frames through the slotted bars 12 m² the bar being moved forward
and the pawl being in gear the frames a²² will be moved forward and will carry
the cranks n' and the forks p² forward until the pawl is thrown out of gear and
the frame a remains stationary held by a spring the frame 2 still moving forward
will by means of the bell cranks n lift the forks p². The bar and the cam tin
gear the bars a² 2 will remain stationary until the bar has moved back the length
of its slot and the pawl is thrown into gear, the bars a 2 will then be moved
back until the cam 2 is thrown out of gear and the bar is stopped at the end
of the stroke of and on reversal of motion of the latter the bar a² acting on the
bell crank n the forks p* will be lowered and then moved forward.
The second set of bars e² and forks q' are actuated in a similar manner but, in
an opposite sense.
The wool or other fibre is carried forward by the arms and deposited on an endless
band, Fig. 1 thence between rolls and precipitated into a shoot hermetically
sealed by the liquid in the adjoining machine into which the shoot projects.
The atmospheric spaces of the different machines, any number of which may be
arranged in series, are connected by air pipes and valves which latter permit the
air or vapour to escape from one machine to the other in a direction towards
the shaft but not in the opposite direction. The roller moving the band is
mounted on a shaft projecting through the casing of the machine and is driven
by suitable gearing, and carries geared wheels which actuate those giving motion
to the side and connecting rods.
The withdrawal of the liquid or solvent from the first washing machine into
which the fibre feeding shaft projects, is regulated by means of a valve a³ Figs. 1, 2
and 8 consisting of a vessel divided into two compartments and c³ by a horizontal
partition. The liquid and atmosphere from the machine is admitted into the
upper compartment, and the atmosphere in the upper to the lower compartment,
the liquid operates floats d³ and governing valves thus on the liquid in the upper
compartment attaining a predetermined density, the float therein is raised so opening
a valve connected to it and permitting the escape of the liquid into the lower
compartment until the liquid in the upper compartment attains a certain density
when the float will return to its original position together with the valve the work
thrown upon which can be easily determined, as the atmospheric pressure in the
two compartments is equal. The liquid in the lower compartment will on
attaining a certain level raise a float and lift a valve permitting the escape of the
liquid into a pipe leading to a heater H, Figs. 1 and 2. In the upper compart-
ment a spring g³ acting on the float may be fixed which spring is regulated by a rod
projecting through the cover of the chamber, and permits of varying the load on
the float in any desired manner.
The liquid from the second machine is also conducted to the heater, the pipes
used for this purpose being provided with valves between the heater and machines
to prevent any return flow of the liquids or gases which may be generated in the
heater.
From the machines pipes convey any sludge which may collect to small
hermetically closed settling tanks forming the lower extremities of casings ³
Figs. 1 and 2 and worms whose upper ends pass through stuffing boxes lift the
sludge into boxes from which it is carried to the pipes leading to the heater or to

page_text: closed settling vessels from which the liquid may be drawn off for treatment and
the remaining sludge conveyed to a still. The heads of the worm casings are
connected by air pipes with the atmospheres of the respective machines which they
serve, and are provided with a water service for washing out purposes.
The liquids as previously stated are conveyed to heaters, heated by water from
a condenser and hot liquids from distilling apparatus, and from the heater into-
stills S. The stills Figs. 1, and 9 which are provided with suitable heating
coils consist of an outer and an inner vessel, the inner vessel being in the form
of an open pot with its rim standing at a higher level than that at which the liquid
in the outer vessel is maintained. The liquid from the heater is discharged into.
the pot and overflows in a thin sheet and may be made to fall on and flow over a.
series of ledges into the outer closed vessel 1 from near the bottom of which it is.
withdrawn by a rising pipe m³ and conveyed to a valve regulating the level of the
liquid in the outer closed vessel of the still. Where desired a series of inner
vessels placed at suitable level one within the other may be used and heating coils
arranged accordingly. The heating coils pass first round the inside of the inner-
most vessel and then round the interior of the next outer vessel, the liquid in the
various vessels of the still may thus be heated to different temperatures and more.
complete evaporation obtained by one set of coils.
Fumes rising from the liquid pass through a screen on their way to a condenser C
Figs. 1 and 2. Such sludge or liquid as may be desired is drawn off direct
into a settling tank which has a closed top but is provided with a vapour discharge
pipe.
The liquid from the stills after passing the regulating valve and through the
heater is led to the same or other settling tank.
The varicus stills are so connected that the liquid from either of the machines
may be conveyed to any of the stills, and are provided with the requisite
thermometers, gauges, washing out pipes &c.
The vapour from the still passes to a condenser and the condensed vapour to a
closed water sealed or other vessel T Figs. 1 and 2, provided with a vapour
discharge pipe.
•
The depth of the water seal is maintained constant in this tank by means of a
valve Fig. 10 provided with two floats, one submerged partially in the solvent o³, the
other på floating near the surface of the water. The one end of a water supply
pipe is connected to one float, and has two joints so as to permit rise and fall
freely at one end, that end being at the same time connected to a, to it, relatively
fixed pipe s. The second float o is connected to a lever and acts on a valve u
connected to the first float and communicating with the water supply pipe and is
acted upon by any variation in the vertical distance between the two floats. The
one float is connected to a valve regulating the admission and escape of the solvent
at any desired level. The vessel is provided with a water overflow pipe with a
syphon trap. From the vessel the solvent is pumped to an overhead reservoir and
thence through a supply regulating valve to the first machine.
All the vapour discharge pipes mentioned are connected to a scrubber or other
vessel for the recovery of vapours.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
--
(1.) In apparatus for use in degreasing or otherwise cleansing wool or other
fibres, apparatus for operating the valves at the top of the feed shaft and the
sector valve in the shaft as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings
Figs. 1 and 2.
(2.) In apparatus for use in degreasing or otherwise cleansing wool or other
fibres, apparatus for alternately discharging the fibre into the air locks at the top
of the feed shaft substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings Figs. 1 and 2.

page_text: (3.) In apparatus for use in degreasing or otherwise cleansing wool or other
fibres, apparatus for conveying the wool forward through the tanks constructed;
arranged and operating substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 6ª, 7
and 7*.
(4.) A valve arranged, constructed and operating substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 8.
(5.) A valve operated by two floats substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings Fig. 10.
(6.) A still consisting of an outer and inner or series of inner vessels constructed
and arranged substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings Fig. 9.
Dated this 22nd January 1905
66
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.