IMPROVEMENTS IN. APPARATUS FOR WASHING EXTRACTED WOOL AND OTHER FIBRE
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Knowles, of the Birstal Dye Works, Birstal,
near Leeds, in the County of York, Dyer and Wool Extractor, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN. APPARATUS FOR WASHING EXTRACTED
WOOL AND OTHER FIBRE."
Sealed the 28th November 1862, and dated the 9th June 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Knowles at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th.
June 1862.
I, ARTHUR KNOWLES, of the Birstal Dye Works, Birstal, near Leeds, in the
County of York, Dyer and Wool Extractor, do hereby declare. the nature of
the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING EXTRACTED WOOL
AND OTHER FIBRE," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for washing
extracted wool and other fibre. For this purpose I employ a wooden vat,
having a false bottom of perforated metal, and furnished with suitable pipes or
passages, so that water may be caused to flow continuously through it. In
order to agitate the contents of the vessel, and to keep them in motion, three
or other convenient number of axes are mounted horizontally over the top of

page_text: the vessel and transversely to the length thereof. A series of bars descend
from these axes, and dip into the vessel, where they act as stirrers, the axes
carrying them receiving a vibrating motion from a crank, or in any other
convenient manner; the two axes near the ends of the vessel, are connected
with the crank (or other instrument) so as to move in unison, but the central
axis has a reverse action communicated to it, the connections with the driving
power being made above the axis in place of below, as is the case with the
other axes, this method of working the agitators causes their action to be very
complete. The ends of the vessel are lined with plates which curve inwards
at the top and bottom, this form is given to them to assist the circulation of
the liquid in the vessel, and prevent it being driven over at the ends by the
action of the agitators.
The apparatus above described is particularly applicable to the washing of
extracted wool, which has been chemically treated, in order to separate it from
cotton or other vegetable fibre, and other animal or vegetable fibres.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Arthur Knowles in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th December 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ARTHUR
KNOWLES, of the Birstal Dye Works, Birstal, near Leeds, in the County of
York, Dyer and Wool Extractor, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Arthur Knowles, Her special licence that. I, the said. Arthur
Knowles, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or, sucli, others as.. I,
the said Arthur Knowles, my executors, administrators, and, assigns, should
at any time agree 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING EXTRACTED WOOL AND OTHER FIBRE," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Arthur Knowles, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of

page_text: their hands and seals, 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 Arthur Knowles, 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 state-
ment thereof, that is to say:--
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for washing
extracted wool and other fibre. For this purpose I employ a wooden vat,
having a false bottom of perforated metal, and furnished with suitable pipes or
passages, so that water may be caused to flow continuously through it. In
order to agitate the contents of the vessel, and to keep them in motion, three
or other convenient number of axes are mounted horizontally over the top of
the vessel, and transversely to the length thereof. A series of bars descend
from these axes, and dip into the vessel, where they act as stirrers, the axes
carrying them receiving a vibrating motion from a caank or in any other
convenient manner; the two axes near the ends of the vessel are connected
with the crank (or other instrument) so as to move in unison, but the central
axis has a reverse action communicated to it, the connections with the driving
power being made above the axis in place of below as is the case with the
other axes, this method of working the agitators causes their action to be very
complete. The ends of the vessel are lined with plates, which curve inwards
at the top and bottom, this form is given to them to assist the circulation of the
liquid in the vessel, and prevent it being driven over at the ends by the action
of the agitators.
The apparatus above described is particularly applicable to the washing
of extracted wool, which has been chemically treated in order to separate
it from cotton or other vegetable fibre, and other animal or vegetable fibres.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
A trough or cistern; B standards for cross shafts or axes; C, c, cross shafts
or axes and stirrers; D perforated iron plates for false bottoms; E legs, upon
which the perforated floor stands; F water pipes; G standard for driving
apparatus; H driving pullies; I fly-wheel; J excentric for giving motion to
the stirrers; K handle for drawing plug for escapement of water;
L curve
plates for assisting the circulation of the liquid in the vessel.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I would state that I
make no claim to any of the mechanical parts separately, but what I claim is
the combined arrangement herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Knowles, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
ARTHUR KNOWLES. (L.S.)