Improvements in the Construction of Bleaching Kiers.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Bleaching Kiers.
We, RICHARD HENRY AINSWORTH, Bleacher and Dyer, and EARDLEY BLOIS
MANBY, Manager, both of Halliwell Bleach Works, Halliwell near Bolton in the
County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of our Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BLEACHING KIERS," to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of kiers employed for bleaching and
consists principally of improvements to be applied to that part of the kier known
as the "puffer pipe," the object of the said invention being to construct a bleaching
kier wherein the circulation of hot liquor can be kept up or otherwise, without
disturbing or damaging the cloth or other material under operation by the boiling,
steam blowing, or pulsation, of the same.
The invention is applicable both to kiers wherein the "puffer pipe" is placed
inside the kier and also to those wherein it is placed outside the same.
We employ an open or closed kier with a "puffer pipe" provided with a flange
or other equivalents and secured to the ordinary gratings by suitable means.
Underside the gratings is fixed a vessel of any convenient size and form, fitted on
the bottom side with a clack or valve opening inwardly for the purpose of admitting
liquor from the bottom of the kier. Inside the "puffer pipe" is fixed a steam
pipe of a suitable diameter to leave a cavity round its outer diameter and the
inner diameter of the "puffer pipe" for the purpose of forming a passage for
liquor and steam, both being confined in the said vessel and pipes, thus entirely
preventing the blowing of steam without its equivalent of liquor into or onto the
cloth. On the top end of the steam pipe is fixed a stuffing box provided with
branches to enable either high or low pressure steam to be used at will. The top
end of the stuffing box is provided with a gland through which works a screwed
spindle or other equivalents, extending downwards to the bottom end of the steam
and "puffer" pipes; on the end of this spindle is secured a cone or hollow conical
vessel. The bottom end of the "puffer pipe" is bevelled or tapered to the angle of
the cone, so that when the cone is raised by a handle or other equivalents from the
top side of the centre steam pipe the amount of liquor to be thrown over the cloth
can be regulated according to the amount of opening given by the said cone. For
the purpose of regulating the admission, direction, and force or blast of steam, the
top edge of the conical vessel operates against or in connection with a convexed
or inclined projection placed near the bottom end of the centre steam pipe. If

page_text: necessary or desired the cone or hollow conical vessel can be fixed or supported in
any convenient position in the said vessel by any suitable means.
Upon steam being admitted to the centre steam pipe it first blows into the
conical vessel which diverts and causes an upward current of steam in the "puffer
pipe" drawing or forcing the liquor with it, and as soon as the liquor reaches the
top of the "puffer pipe" it is thrown over the goods in the kier by the usual
spreader.
The valve or clack on the bottom end of the vessel fixed under the gratings is
lightly constructed so as to operate freely with the action of the liquor in the kier.
bottom, being closed instantly back pressure occurs, by which, perfect stillness of
the cloth or other material is ensured when boiling or otherwise. If necessary the
valve or clack can be lifted entirely off its seat by appliances fixed to the rod
attached to the hollow conical vessel, or by other equivalents.
In another modification we dispense with the valve or clack, the liquor being
admitted into the vessel by ordinary openings.
In adapting our invention to kiers wherein the "puffer pipe" is placed outside,
the aforesaid vessel, steam pipe, conical vessel, and other connections are constructed
as before described, being connected to the bottom of the kier by a suitable pipe or
other equivalents, the liquor and steam being led over the top by an elbow pipe
and spreader.
The advantages accruing from this invention are that it is impossible to damage
or injure the cloth or other material by being steam blown on the gratings; perfect
stillness of the cloth is ensured whilst boiling or otherwise and the evil of pulsation
removed; liquor is forced in large volumes over the cloth with each puff of steam
and thus causes considerable saving in time and steam. Another important feature
is that this apparatus is self contained and can be taken out bodily in one piece
when required for repairs, reducing the latter to a minimum.
Dated this 21st dow of Deah10QA.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Bleaching Kiers.
We, RICHARD HENRY AINSWORTH, Bleacher and Dyer, and EARDLEY BLOIS
MANBY, Manager, both of Halliwell Bleach Works, Halliwell near Bolton in the
County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of our Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BLEACHING KIERS," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained.
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the construction of kiers employed for bleaching and
consists principally of improvements to be applied to that part of the kier known
as the "puffer pipe," the object of the said invention being to construct a bleaching
kier wherein the circulation of hot liquor can be kept up or otherwise, without
disturbing or damaging the cloth or other material under operation by the boiling,
steam blowing, or pulsation, of the same.
"
This invention is applicable to kiers wherein the "puffer pipe" is placed inside
the kier, and also to those wherein it is placed outside the same.
We employ an open or closed kier (the latter with or without internal steam
pressure) with a "puffer pipe" provided with a flange or other equivalents and
secured to the ordinary gratings by suitable means. Underside the gratings is.
fixed a vessel of any convenient size and form, fitted on the bottom side with a
clack or valve opening inwardly for the purpose of admitting liquor from the
bottom of the kier. Inside the "puffer pipe" is fixed a steam pipe of a suitable
diameter to leave a cavity round its outer diameter and the inner diameter of the
puffer pipe" for the purpose of forming a passage for liquor and steam, both
being confined in the said vessel and pipes, thus entirely preventing the blowing
of steam without its equivalent of liquor into and onto the cloth. On the top end
of the steam pipe is fixed a stuffing box provided with branches to enable either
bigh or low pressure steam to be used at will. The top end of the stuffing box is
provided with a gland through which works a screwed spindle or other equivalents
extending downwards to the bottom end of the steam and "puffer" pipes; on the
end of this spindle is secured a cone or hollow conical vessel. The bottom end of
the "puffer pipe" is bevelled or tapered to the angle of the cone so that when the
cone is raised by a handle or other equivalents from the top side of the centre
steam pipe the amount of liquor to be thrown over the cloth can be regulated
according to the amount of opening given by the said cone. For the purpose of
regulating the direction, and force or blast of steam the top edge of the conical
vessel operates in connection with a convexed or inclined projection placed near the
bottom end of the steam pipe. If necessary or desired the cone or hollow conical
vessel can be fixed or supported in any convenient position in the said vessel by
any suitable means.
On steam being admitted to the centre steam pipe it first flows into the
conical vessel which diverts and causes an upward current of steam in the " puffer
pipe" drawing or forcing the liquor with it, and as soon as the liquor reaches the
top of the "puffer pipe" it is thrown over the goods in the kier by the usual
spreader.

page_text: The valve or clack on the bottom end of the vessel fixed under the gratings is
lightly constructed so as to operate freely with the action of the liquor in the kier
bottom, being closed instantly back pressure occurs, by which, perfect stillness of
the cloth or other material is ensured when boiling or otherwise.
In another modification we dispense with the valve or clack, the liquor being
admitted into the vessel by ordinary openings.
In adapting our invention to kiers wherein the "puffer pipe" is placed outside,
the aforesaid vessel, steam pipe, conical vessel, and other connections are constructed
as before described, being connected to the bottom of the kier by a suitable pipe or
other equivalents; the liquor and steam being led over the top by an elbow pipe
& spreader.
In order that our invention may be fully understood, we will now proceed to
describe the drawings upon the sheet hereunto annexed, the same letters of reference
being used throughout all the figures to indicate the same or corresponding parts
of our invention.
"
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a bleaching kier and internal "puffer pipe"
with our improvements applied; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a bleaching kier
with an external "puffer pipe," and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the bottom end
of the "puffer pipe" and vessel attached thereto.
A is a bleaching kier with the "puffer pipe" B provided with the seating
flange C. This flange sits on the casing D for supporting the gratings E. Under
the flange C is fixed the vessel F fitted with the valve or clack G opening inwardly
to admit liquor from the bottom of the kier. The liquor is admitted to the
underside of the valve or clack G through the openings H in the casing D. Inside
the "puffer pipe" B is disposed the steam pipe I leaving the cavity J between its
outer diameter and the inner diameter of the "puffer pipe" forming a passage for
liquor and steam, both being confined in the vessel F, puffer pipe B, and steam
pipe I, by which the blowing of steam without its equivalent of liquor into & onto
the cloth is prevented.
If desired the operations of circulating liquor by the aid of steam or that of
steaming alone can be performed alternately, the latter by simply closing the outer
surface of the conical vessel P tight against the bevelled edges on the bottom end
of the "puffer pipe B by means of screwing the spindle O with the hand wheel S
or other equivalents, the outlet or steam orifice between the upper inner edge of
the conical vessel P and the outer diameter of the steam pipe I remaining open
when liquor is shut off from the vessel F as shewn in Fig. 4; the former being
performed when in the position shewn on the drawings in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
The top end of the steam pipe I is fitted with the stuffing box K provided with
the steam branch L, through which high or low pressure steam can be supplied at
will by means of any suitable arrangement of valves. On the stuffing box K is fitted
the gland M through which works the screw N on the spindle O: the spindle O
descends to the bottom end of the steam and "puffer" pipes I and B respectively,
having secured thereto the cone or conical vessel P into which steam is blown when
admitted down the steam pipe I, which diverts the same and causes an upward
current of steam in the "puffer pipe B, by which liquor in the bottom of the kier
and vessel F is propelled up the "puffer pipe" B, from whence it is thrown over
the cloth or goods in the kier A in a continuous stream or otherwise by the
spreader R, after which the liquor percolates through the cloth or goods into the
cavity or well V under the gratings E supporting the same.
The bottom end of the "puffer pipe " B is bevelled or tapered on the inside to
the angle of the outside of the conical vessel P, which regulates the opening and
amount of liquor to be thrown over the cloth or goods when operated by the hand
wheel S, screw N, and spindle O. For the purpose of regulating the direction, and
force or blast of steam from the conical vessel P the top edge of the latter operates
in conjunction with the convexed or inclined projection T near the bottom end of
the steam pipe I, by which steam can be forced or directed in various angles across

page_text: the cavity J, thereby ensuring its coming in contact with the liquor and lifting
the same.
If necessary or desired to give an uniform flow of liquor and steam the conical
vessel P can be detached from the spindle O' and fixed or supported in any
convenient position in the vessel F by any suitable means.
The valve or clack G in the vessel F is lightly constructed to open freely with
the action of the liquor in the kier bottom or well V, which valve or clack is closed
instantly back pressure occurs and thus prevents the cloth being lifted or pulsated,
which would otherwise take place with a consequent liability to fridge, rub, or
wear the same against the kier side, and by which perfect stillness of the same is
ensured during the operation of boiling or otherwise.
The lift of the valve or clack G is regulated by the nut b on the stem c. The
valve or clack G can be removed as shewn in Fig. 3, the liquor being admitted
into the vessel F through the openings d in the valve seat, or other holes may be
substituted if desired.
In adapting our invention to kiers wherein the "puffer pipe" is placed outside
we arrange the same as shewn in Fig. 2, the vessel F, steam pipe I, conical vessel P,
"puffer pipe" B, and other connections are attached to the outlet W by the pipe Y,
the operation being as before described. The liquor and steam are conducted from
the "puffer pipe " B by the pipe Z over the top of the kier to the spreader R, from
whence they are delivered onto and over the cloth or goods under operation.
For the purpose of emptying the kier of liquor the valve or tap U is employed
being attached to the vessel F, the same being closed when boiling is being performed
or otherwise.
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a closed kier wherein the boiling of cloth or
goods can be performed with or without internal pressure, our improvements being
applied in any convenient manner to suit the construction of the kier, and
indicated on the drawing by the same letters of reference as before mentioned and
shewn.
*The advantages of this invention are that it is impossible to damage or injure
the cloth or goods by a volume of direct steam impinging or operating on the cloth
through the gratings E; perfect stillness of the cloth or goods is ensured whilst
boiling or otherwise and the evil of pulsation or friction against the side of the
kier removed.
The supply of liquor and steam can be regulated by operating the conical
vessel P up or down by the hand wheel S to give a larger or smaller supply as
desired. The amount of steam can also be regulated by the main steam valve
supplying the pipe L, which valve is not shewn on the drawings as it forms no part
of this invention. Another important feature is that the whole of the apparatus is
self-contained and can be removed bodily in one piece when required for repairs or
otherwise.
We would have it understood that we do not confine ourselves to the precise
details or configuration of the parts we have shewn and described as the same may
be varied or modified without departing from the principle of our invention
according to the class or form of kier to which it may be applied.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. The method substantially as herein described of regulating the flow of steam
and liquor onto cloth or goods in bleaching kiers by causing, by means of the
adjustable conical vessel P, the same to be delivered in varied quantities and
proportions to suit the various conditions requisite in boiling cloth or goods.
2. In apparatus for effecting regulation of the flow of steam and liquor onto
cloth or goods in a bleaching kier in the manner referred to in the preceding claim
the arrangement of the adjustable conical vessel P to work up or down by means
of the rod O so as to regulate the area of the opening between the said conical

page_text: ་
vessel P and the bottom end of the "puffer pipe" B, substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
3. The method of admitting steam and liquor alternately onto cloth or goods in
bleaching kiers by means of the adjustable conical vessel P, substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth.
4. In a bleaching kier, the employment of the vessel F substantially as described
and shewn on the drawings.
5. In a bleaching kier, the employment of the valve or clack G for the purpose
of preventing the possibility of a volume of steam impinging or operating through
the gratings E supporting the cloth or goods, thereby obviating pulsation,
fridging, and tendering of the same, substantially as described and shewn in
Figs. 1 and 2.
6. The use of the convexed surface or projection T on the steam pipe I for
regulating, in conjunction with the conical vessel P, the direction, and force or
blast of steam, substantially as described and shewn.
7. The combinations and arrangements of parts such as are hereinbefore referred
to and constituting our improvements in bleaching kiers, substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the drawings annexed, or any mere modification of
the same.