Improvements relating to Wool-washing Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1890--Accepted, 16th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Wool-washing Machines.
I, ALEXANDRE DERU, of Verviers, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of wool washing machines whereby the
wool is beaten in such a manner that the fibres thereof do not become knotted,
entangled or felted during the washing and rinsing operations.
In carrying out the invention I provide a number of beaters arranged in the trough
or in one or more of the troughs of the machine and having an up and down move-
ment; in their downward movement the beaters only enter the liquid to a depth of a
few centimêtres and bring the air carried down by them into intimate contact with
the wool, while during their upward movement the air expands and comes into
intimate contact with the water and the wool contained therein. By frequently
repeating this contact of the wool with the air the wool is rendered perfectly white.
The beaters are made of rectangular pieces of wood and sheet metal so combined
as to form a kind of box. The lower face of each beater is advantageously inclined
so as to create a current in the liquid contained in the trough. The beaters have a
movement imparted to them similar to that of a steam hammer, that is to say, their
descent is performed more rapidly than their ascent.
The wool is first scoured in the washing trough or troughs advantageously provided
with heaters as hereinbefore described and is then carried by compressing rollers to
an endless band or apron and thence into the rinsing trough which is of a horse shoe
or semi-circular form and fitted with several sets of the herein before described beaters
arranged in rows side by side. The wool is then carried by a rake to the first set of
heaters. Between each set are arranged rakes which carry the wool forward from
each set of beaters to the next set. After having been thus thoroughly washed and
rinsed and frequently put in contact with the air the wool is raised from the trough
by a suitable elevating arrangement and carried to compressing rollers which
squeeze the water from the wool. The wool is afterwards dried in a suitable drying
apparatus.
Dated the 30th day of August 1889.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Wool-washing Machines.
I, ALEXANDRE DERU, of Verviers, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be perforined to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to the construction of wool washing machines whereby the
wool is beaten in such a manner that the fibres thereof do not become knotted,
entangled or felted during the washing and rinsing operations.
In carrying out the invention I provide a number of beaters arranged in the trough
or in one or more of the troughs of the machine and having an up and down move-
ment imparted to them.
The beaters are made of rectangular pieces of wood and sheet metal so combined
as to form a kind of inverted box, the lower edges of each beater being inclined so as

page_text: to assist the forward movement of the wool and create a current in the liquid con-
tained in the trough.
In their downward movement the beaters only enter the liquid to a depth of
a few centimetres, and bring the air carried down by them into intimate contact
with the wool which is unsupported and therefore floats freely in the liquid, while,
during the upward movement of the said beaters, the air expands and comes into
intimate contact with the water and the wool contained therein. By frequently
repeating this contact of the wool with the air the wool is rendered perfectly white.
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe how it can be carried
into practice by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section; and
Figure 2 is a plan of the rinsing trough of a wool washing machine provided with
my improvements.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views of details.
E, E are my improved beaters formed as clearly shewn in figure 5 of rectangular
pieces of wood, on the edges of which are attached pieces of sheet-metal so as to
form a kind of inverted box having the edges of its sides or ends inclined.
The wool is first scoured in the washing trough A (or troughs) advantageously
provided with the beaters E, E herein before described, and is then carried by com-
pressing rollers H to an endless band or apron B and thence into the rinsing
trough C which is of a horse shoe or semi-circular form as shown in figure 2 and
fitted with several sets of beaters E E arranged in rows side by side. The wool is
then carried by a rake F operated by a crank to the first set of beaters E to which
by suitable mechanism, such as eccentrics, cranks or their equivalents, a rapid rising
and falling motion is imparted. Between each set are arranged rakes F which carry
the wool forward from each set of beaters E to the next set. After having been
thus thoroughly washed and rinsed and frequently put in contact with the air the
wool is raised from the trough by a suitable elevating arrangement G and carried to
compressing rollers H' which squeeze the water from the wool. The wool is afterwards
dried in a suitable drying apparatus.
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. A wool washing machine provided with hollow beaters E having the lower
edges of their sides or ends inclined and adapted to move up and down so as to
enter the washing liquid to the depth of only a few centimetres substantially as
and for the purposes herein before described with reference to the accompanying
drawing.
2. The combination of parts forming the improved wool washing machine herein-
before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 23rd day of May 1890.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.