CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS AND MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN SCOUR- ING AND BLEACHING
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-ninth day of May, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, in the tenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Richard
Archibald Brooman, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Richard Archibald Brooman, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, and also
in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, the Invention
of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS AND MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN SCOUR-
ING AND BLEACHING," communicated from abroad; in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso, that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, sball
cause a particular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery

page_text: within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction and arrangement
of apparatus for scouring and bleaching by steam, whereby a considerable
saving in the quantity of water and fuel used is effected, and the time
employed in the processes is greatly shortened, and-that the same has relation
more particularly to the scouring and bleaching of household and body linen
in which women are now ordinarily employed. And I declare that the
manner in which the same is performed is fully set forth in the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and in the following description thereof :-
For the sake of convenience and clearness the same letters are employed to
indicate the like parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a scouring and bleaching apparatus
'of ordinary size constructed according to the said Invention. A is the copper
for containing the linen which has a moveable lid.A³, and a false bottom (B)
of wood on which the linen rests with an aperture 6 in the centre of it, up
through which the steam passes. C is the boiler. Fis the fireplace. f the
door of the fireplace. d, stop plate to keep in the flame and smoke, and cause
them to circulate in the direction of the arrows. d, flue. T, smoke pipe.
c is one of a series of bars for supporting the fuel. P, P, standards that
support the copper. O, O, the feet.or supports of the fireplace and boiler.
E, funnel for filling the boiler, which is, or may be made steam-tight by means
of a valve opening upwards and kept shut by a spring acting on the top of the
valve. G is the neck of the boiler which screws on to a tubular piece H,
which projects from the fixed bottom of the copper A, so that the copper can
be separated from the boiler at pleasure.. S¹ is a test-cock for ascertaining the
height of the water in the boiler. The same passage (G, H,) serves for the
ascent of the steam into the copper and for its return into the boiler after it
has passed through the linen and been condensed. The bottom of the copper
is slightly sloped, as shewn in the Drawing, so as to facilitate the return of the
water into the boiler. R is a discharge cock. The floor of the fireplace is
made of cast iron or sheet iron, and may be covered with tiles or bricks. It
is represented in the Drawing, Figure 1, as provided, with fire bars (c), on
the supposition of wood being the fuel employed, but in this, as in all the
apparatus herein-after described (except those in which the boiler is under the
floor), either wood or coal, or coke, or any other description of fuel
may be

page_text: employed, and the arrangements of the fireplace modified accordingly. The
mode of operation is as follows:-The linen having been assorted is at once
thrown into the copper (before lighting the fire), beginning with the foulest.
An alkaline solution or bleaching liquid, similar to that ordinarily employed
in washing, is then poured in by little. and little till the whole of the linen is
saturated with it, the operation being assisted by stirring up the mass by means
of a stick without putting in the hands. Any excess of the liquid which may.
collect at the bottom of the copper is drawn off by a tap S, and saved for
future use. When the soaking is finished the boiler is filled with water to
about the height of the test cock S¹, and the passage of communication G, H,
between it and the copper opened. The lid of the copper is then put. on and
nothing more remains to be done except to light the fire and to keep it up
briskly until the steam begins to force its way out from under the edges of the
lid in little puffs. The fire is then lowered, and after a little time the linen is
taken out of the copper, when it is generally found in a thoroughly cleansed
state; should any spots or stains still remain they are afterwards removed by
washing it in water, either with or without soap. By separating the boiler from
the copper containing the linen, in the manner which has been just described,
a great evil which is common to all washing apparatus of the ordinary con-
struction is wholly obviated, namely, the boiling up of the water in the
copper after it has become fouled, and its remixture in this fouled state with
the articles which are to be cleansed. The water with which the. linen comes
in contact in this improved apparatus is the pure water resulting from the
condensation of the steam, and which is returned to the boiler as fast as formed
along with any impurities which it may collect in its progress. Figure 2 is a
sectional side elevation, and Figure 3 a front elevation of another apparatus,
wherein the copper A is of a circular form, covers the fireplace and boiler on
all parts, and is made in one piece with them. The return of the condensed
steam is effected by a passage (h) distinct from that. (G, H) through which
the steam enters. The valve K is in this case hinged and raised by means of
a rod K. Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of an apparatus, in which the
copper A also covers the fireplace and boiler, but is rectangular instead of
being circular, and is entirely distinct from them, being simply placed, when in
use, on the top of the boiler. The bottom of the copper is in this case slightly
bulged upwards, and the passages (h³, h³) for the entry of the steam and. the
return of the water of condensation are placed at the sides. Taps of any
approved form will suffice to close these passages. The boiler and fireplace
are placed on a solid basement V, instead of on feet. Figure 5 is a sectional
side elevation of an apparatus of larger dimensions than any of those before

page_text: described. It rests on an arched basement of cast iron or brick. The copper
is in the same piece with the boiler and fireplace. There are two passages
(h, h) for the return of the water of condensation, and two stop plates
(d,d) for impeding the course of the flame and smoke, and thereby the
better economizing the consumption of fuel. The flue d', before being
carried into the chimney may also be made to take several turns through the
fireplace, or even through the boiler, as is commonly done in apparatuses for
heating. Figure 6 is a cross section of the apparatus last described in
Figure 5. The grating c; forming the floor of the fireplace, is composed of
hollow bars, which open into the water spaces of the boiler, and thereby
greatly, accelerate the generation of steam. Figure 7 is a sectional side
elevation, Figure 8 a transverse section, and Figure 9 a top plan of an
apparatus of large size, in which seven coppers are supplied with steam from
one boiler and fireplace. F is the fireplace, the flooring of which is formed
of hollow. bars opening into the boiler, as in Figure 6. F, F, are flues
which lead from the fireplace athwart the boiler to the smoke flue T. L L
are pipes for conveying the steam from the boiler to the coppers (A, A), three
of which are placed on each side of the boiler and fireplace, and one imme-
diately over the smoke flue T. These pipes (L) are provided each with a tap,
so that the steam may be let on or shut off from any number of them accord-
ing as may be required. The boiler and fireplace are supported on two short
brick walls a, a, and they may be either set in the brickwork or enclosed in
a casing of sheet iron placed at a little distance apart, and so disposed as to
present a surface suitable for drying linen. One or two moveable caps E,
afford the means of cleaning the apparatus. Figure 10 is a sectional elevation,
and Figure 11 a horizontal section of a form of apparatus, in which the
copper and boiler form but one piece. The boiler in fact is here but an
extension of the copper beyond the false bottom B, the extension exhibiting
in section the appearance of two legs projected downwards into the fireplace.
To facilitate the diffusion of the steam throughout the linen, and its return
when condensed into the boiler, part of the apparatus, a spiral rod or open
spiral worm w of galvanized iron is fixed in the copper immediately over the
.central aperture b, and a number of open perforated tubes x, x, all round it,
but nearer to the periphery than the centre of the copper; (rods and tubes of
the same description may be added to any of the other forms of apparatus
before or herein-after described).. Figures 12 and 13 represent an appa-
ratus similar to the preceding, but one in which the boiler is of one piece
with the fireplace, and is in the shape of a cylinder with double sides, the
fireplace being in the middle. The copper may be attached in the manner

page_text: represented in Figure 13. Figure 14 exhibits an arrangememt in. which the
fireplace occupies a very little space, and is placed quite under the boiler, but
has a flue leading from it, which makes a complete circuit within the boiler,
before terminating in the smoke tube T. The copper. in this case may be
united to or separated from the boiler. The feet supporting the apparatus
may be rivetted on to it, or made to screw into it when set up, which will
allow of the apparatus being easily packed up, when it is required to be
exported or removed to great distances. Figure. 15 is a longitudinal section,
and Figure 16 a front elevation of an apparatus, which answers completely
for scouring and bleaching linen, and serves at the same time all the purposes
of a bath. The boiler surrounds the fireplace (except in front), and has a
moveable metallic cover d, which rests on ledges, as separately shewn on an
enlarged scale in Figure 22, when the apparatus is used to heat water for
bathing purposes only. The false wooden bottom B of the copper, which it
is requisite to employ in washing is pierced with three or four openings; which
are surmounted by as many perforated tubes, besides which there are two
perforated tubes x, x, which are carried all along the sides in a spiral or
winding direction, so as to allow the steam to pass and to force itself into
every part of the linen. When used as a bath the perforated tubes and
false bottom are removed, or the former only is removed and the latter retained.
Figure 17 is a top plan of an apparatus similar to the preceding, only that
it is larger, and forms a double or twin washing apparatus and bath, an
arrangement which admits of a large or small washing being made in the
same apparatus, or of two assortments of linen being differently treated at one
and the same time, or of water being heated in one of the compartments, and
water heated in the other, &c. This is effected by having a longitudinal
partition a fixed or moveable, which divides in two parts, the fireplace, the boiler,
and the copper. Figure 18 is a section of the preceding apparatus on the
line A, B, showing the internal arrangement of the fireplace, and the course
which the tubes take through which the hot air and smoke circulate. These
tubes may be of any convenient number, but as in the other apparatuses they
all lead into the chimney T, either directly or circuitously. Figure 19.
represents a top plan of an apparatus constructed on the same principle as
the preceding, but the bottoms (both metallic and wooden) are supposed in
the Drawing to be removed, so as to exhibit the roof of the fireplace, and
the course of the hot air and smoke passages t, t. There are two distinct
fireplaces (F, F), one at each end, each of which is subdivided into two by
a partition, and all the four compartments may be worked either together or

page_text: separately. The boiler may likewise as well as the copper be divided into
two or four compartments, by means of partitions arranged as in Figure 17.
Figure 20 is a front sectional elevation; and Figure 21 a side sectional
elevation of, a battery.or series of distinct apparatuses, the numbers of which
may be indefinitely multiplied, and may be used for operations on a larger
scale. The fireplaces are kept distinct, and they may be made with or without
grates. To each fireplace there may be one or more flues attached for carrying
off the smoke and heated vapours, either directly or in a circuitous course
to the chimney.
The remaining Figures in the Drawings represent sundry accessory pieces,
which may if thought proper be added to all the apparatuses, and render the
action of the same more effective and easy, those more especially that are of
large dimensions. Figure 23 represents a glass tube Y, which may be
inserted into one of the sides of the boiler, in order to shew the level of the
water; it should be graduated so as to measure. the water, and regulate the
quantity to be added or drawn off, in order to restore the water to the proper
level. Figure 24 shews how a weighted valve may be so attached to a guage
tube, such as that last-mentioned tube, as that when there is an excess of
water in the boiler the valve shall be forced up, and the excess overflow into
a receiver R, on which the valve will resume its equilibrium. Figure 25
represents a funnel of a suitable form for pouring the water easily into the
boiler.
In all the forms of apparatus before described the coppers are represented
as being plain on their inner surfaces, but they may also be made fluted,, which
will be attended with this advantage, that the flutings will afford convenient
channels for the ascent of the steam. These flutings should begin at the
bottom of the copper, and terminate at about two inches from the top.
Instead also of the spiral rods or worms and perforated tubes before directed
to be placed in the copper to facilitate the diffusion of the steam, a number
of strings or cords of hemp, cotton, wool, or other fibrous material may be
substituted and suspended from hooks or rings attached to the inside of the
copper near the top. The valve by which the communication between the
boiler and copper, is opened and closed has been represented as requiring
to be acted on by hand, but it would be preferable in many cases, especially
where there are a number of apparatuses under the superintendence of one
or two persons, that the valve should be self-acting, so that in the event of its
being left accidentally shut after the fire has been lighted under the copper
the pressure of the steam should of itself force open the valve. An ordinary

page_text: clack valve will answer this purpose, but it must be observed that such an
arrangement is only admissible in apparatuses where a passage is provided for
the return of the condensed steam into the boiler, distinct from that through
which the steam ascends.
-
The different forms of apparatus before described, being chiefly applicable
the washing of linen, are named by the Inventor "Portable and Stationary
Economical Washing Houses," and offer great advantages over all those in
common use, wherever the scouring and bleaching can be effected by steam
without pressure, and great expedition is desirable. Those of the larger sort
represented in Figures 7, 17, 19, and 20, may be of any considerable capacity
without the bulk being such as to render them at all cumbersome, and will
be found particularly suitable for vessels and steamboats of the Royal Navy
and Merchant Service. By the division of them into compartments, a great
saving of space is effected, and the means afforded of washing separately linen
of different kinds and of different degrees of foulness, which on board of ship
is frequently a great desideratum.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is performed, I declare that the same consists essentially.
in the general system followed in the conduct of the processes and construction
of the machinery before described, rather than in the form or dimension or
peculiar adaptability of any of the parts of the various exemplifications of
the said system herein contained, which parts admit one and all of much
variation and modification. And that what I claim is,-
First, the scouring and bleaching of linen by putting the same without any
previous soaking in a copper, where it is first saturated with bleaching liquid,
and then steamed by means of steam introduced from a boiler separate and
distinct from the said copper, as before exemplified and described. And,
Second, the connecting of the said copper with the boiler and fireplace in
such manner, whether temporarily or permanently) that the foul water in the
boiler is prevented from boiling up and intermixing with the linen in the
copper, and only the clean water arising from the condensation of the steam
is allowed to circulate amongst the linen, as also before variously exemplified
and described.
•
C
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have herc-
.unto, set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-ninth day of November,
in the year of our Lord 1847, the aforesaid Richard Archibald Brooman
came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.