Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug.,. 1886.
Complete Left, 9th May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 10th June, 1887
and the like, and to Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY RICE RANDALL, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America, Chemist do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
My invention comprises an improved process which is chiefly designed for the
treatment of silk cocoons for the purpose of facilitating the separation of the fibres
from each other whilst still leaving the same covered with a sufficient quantity of the
gummy or waxy material to protect them in the subsequent mechanical operations
to which they are subjected. But the said process is also applicable for the treatment
of raw silk, silk waste and the like.
My said invention, moreover, comprises improved apparatus adapted for carrying
on my process.
According to my improved process, the cocoons are subjected to the action of a
solution of hydrochloric acid preferably in the proportion of about three fourths of an
ounce of the acid to one gallon of water, and at a temperature of about 150 degrees
Fahrenheit more or less.
In the treatment of cocoons, as heretofore practised for the purpose above specified,
the cocoons are submerged in the acid solution and then allowed to stand while the
liquid is heated, so that those cocoons which are nearest the point of application of the
heat are liable to be overheated and the fibres comparatively weakened so that they
are apt to break when subjected to the subsequent mechanical operations, such as
combing, carding or spinning. But, according to my improved process, I either
keep the cocoons constantly in motion while submerged, or I cause the liquid to
circulate freely through the mass of cocoons.
In this manner 1 ensure that all of the
cocoons shall be uniformly subjected to the action of the liquid at the required
temperature.
Any suitable apparatus may be employed for carrying on my process, but I prefer
to employ apparatus such as that hereinafter described.
This apparatus has a tank or vessel for containing the acid solution in which the
cocoons are to be steeped and a rotating drum or cage for holding the cocoons.
This

page_text: drum or cage is formed of bars fixed at each end in plates or discs and having spaces
between them through which the liquid has free access to the cocoons. The said
drum or cage is provided with axles or trunnions whereby it is supported in bearings
secured to the ends of the tank or vessel and with a pulley whereby rotary motion
may be imparted to it from any suitable motor. The said drum or cage is provided
with a door which is hinged and secured by a screw-nut, and which can be opened for
the purpose of introducing the cocoons into the drum or cage. Steam-pipes are
provided for heating the liquid in the tank or vessel.
In carrying on my process by means of this apparatus, the drum or cage is filled or
partially filled with cocoons and the door thereof securely fastened, and the tank is filled
or partially filled with the acid solution so as to cover or submerge the drum or cage.
The said drum or cage is then continuously (and, by preference, slowly) rotated,
steam being admitted to the aforesaid pipes for the purpose of heating the acid
solution. The continuous rotation of the drum or cage ensures the uniform heating of
all the cocoons, thus producing the required effect.
In a modified form of my apparatus, provision is made for causing a constant
circulation of the liquid through the mass of cocoons. The tank or vessel is divided
into compartments by partitions which extend nearly, but not quite, to the bottom of
the tank. Each compartment is provided with a perforated bottom. The cocoons are
placed in these compartments either loosely or packed in baskets which fit within the
said compartments and which may be readily removed therefrom. Perforated plates
are placed in the said compartments above the cocoons to hold the samo down below
the surface of the liquid.
The steam-pipes are arranged beneath the said compartments and extend upward
between the ends of the tank and the adjacent partitions.
The liquid is first heated to the required temperature in a separate tank. It is then
pumped up or otherwise raised and delivered into the tank through a pipe provided
with nozzles or outlets. The lower part of the tank is connected in any suitable
manners with the supply tank so that the liquid may be permitted to return to the
latter. In this manner, the liquid may be continuously circulated. As the liquid is
delivered into the compartments at the top thereof at the required temperature and
is maintained at this temperature by the heating pipes at the bottom of the tank and
returns by gravity to the supply tank, it is obvious that a very even temperature will
be maintained throughout the tank, and the liquid will circulate freely through the
mass of cocoons. Therefore all of the cocoons are uniformly heated during their
submersion in the liquid.
If desired, the tank may have only one compartment but, for convenience in the
handling of the cocoons, it is preferable to divide the said tank into two or more
compartments. By means of my apparatus, a much larger quantity of cocoons can
be treated at once than by the boiling apparatus ordinarily employed.
In some instances, the liquid is pumped from the bottom of the tank and delivered
directly into the top thereof, and the additional supply tank is dispensed with.
Although I prefer to use a solution of hydrochloric acid as above described, I
may employ a solution of sulphuric acid, but the results obtained are not so good in
the latter caso as those obtained with the hydrochloric acid.
Dated this 9th day of Angust 1886
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: and the like, and to Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY RICE RANDALL, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America, Chemist 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 comprises an improved method or process which is chiefly designed
for the treatment of silk cocoons for the purpose of facilitating the separation of the
silk fibres from each other whilst still leaving them covered with a sufficient quantity
of their natural coating of gummy or waxy material to protect them during subsequent
mechanical operations, such as combing, carding or spinning. My improved process
is, however, applicable for the treatment of raw silk, silk waste and the like.
My said invention, moreover, comprises improved apparatus for carrying on the
said process.
In the processes heretofore devised for the treatment of silk cocoons for the
purpose above specified, the cocoons are submerged in an acid or an alkaline solution
and are allowed to remain stationary therein, while the said solution is heated to the
required temperature; and no circulation of the solution is maintained. The result is
that those cocoons which are nearest the point of application of the heat are liable to
le overheated and the fibres thereof thus weakened so that they are apt to break
when subjected to the said subsequent mechanical operations.
In carrying on my improved process, I either keep the cocoons constantly in motion
while submerged in the solution or I cause the said solution to circulate freely through
the mass of cocoons. In this manner I ensure that all of the cocoons shall be
uniformly subjected to the action of the solution at the required temperature.
I find it most advantageous to use a solution of hydrochloric acid (preferably in the
proportion of about three-fourths of an ounce of the acid to one gallon of water) at a
temperature of about one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit.
Any suitable apparatus may be employed for carrying on my process, but I prefer to
employ apparatus such as that hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal central section shewing one form of my improved
apparatus.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line r, r, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation, and
Figure 4 a plan, shewing another form or modification of my improved apparatus.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
I will hereinafter describe my invention more particularly with reference to the
treatment of silk cocoons; the treatment of raw silk, silk waste, or the like, according
to my said invention, being substantially the same.

page_text: A is a tank or vessel for containing the acid solution in which the cocoons are to
be steeped. B is a rotating drum or cage for holding the cocoons.
This drum or
cage is formed of bars 6 fixed at each end in plates or discs ¹, and having spaces
between them through which the liquid has free access to the cocoons. The said
drum or cage is provided with axles or trunnions B¹, whereby it is supported in
bearings a secured to the ends of the tank or vessel A. It is, moreover, provided with
a pulley B, whereby rotary motion may be imparted to it by means of a rope or belt
from any suitable motor. The said drum or cage is also provided with a door B³
which is hinged at 62 and secured by a screw-nut 6, and which can be opened for the
purpose of introducing the cocoons into the drum or cage. C, C¹ are steam pipes for
heating the liquid in the tank or vessel A.
In carrying on my process by means of this apparatus, the drum or cage is filled
or partially filled with cocoons, and the door thereof is securely fastened. The tank A
is then filled or partially filled with the acid solution so as to cover or submerge the
drum or cage. The said drum or cage is then continuously and by preference slowly
rotated, steam being admitted to the aforesaid pipes C, C₁ for the purpose of heating
the said solution. The continuous rotation of the drum or cage B ensures the uniform
heating of all the cocoons, thus producing the required separation of the fibres and
avoiding liability to the removal of the whole of the gummy or waxy material from
any of the cocoons by overheating.
Figures 3 and 4 shew a modified form of my apparatus, wherein provision is made
for causing a constant circulation of the acid solution through the mass of cocoons.
The tank or vessel A for containing the acid solution is, in this case, divided into
compartments by partitions A¹ which extend nearly, but not quite to the bottom of
the tank. Each compartment is provided with a perforated bottom D. The cocoons
are placed in these compartments either loosely or packed in baskets which fit within
the said compartments and may be readily removed therefrom. Perforated plates E
are placed in the said compartments above the cocoons to hold the same down below
the surface of the liquid. C, C₁ are the steam-pipes for heating the liquid; these pipes
are arranged beneath the said compartments and extend upward between the ends of
the tank A and the adjacent partitions A¹. In the apparatus shewn, the liquid is
first heated in any suitable manner to the required temperature in a separate tank F.
It is then pumped up or otherwise raised and delivered into the tank A through a
pipe G provided with nozzles or outlets G. The lower part of the tank A is to be
connected in any suitable manner with the tank F so that the liquid may be permitted
to return to the latter, and thus be continually circulated. As the liquid is delivered
into the compartments at the top thereof at the required temperature, and is
maintained at this temperature by the heating pipes at the bottom of the tank, and
returns by gravity to the supply tank F, it is obvious that a very even or uniform
temperature will be maintained throughout the tank, and that the liquid will circulato
freely through the mass of cocoons. Therefore all of the cocoons will be uniformly
heated during their submersion in the liquid.
D
If desired, the tank A may have only one compartment, but, for convenience in the
handling of the cocoons, it is preferable to divide the said tank into two or more
compartments.
By means of my improved apparatus, a much larger quantity of cocoons can be
treated at once than by the boiling apparatus ordinarily employed.
In some instances, the liquid is pumped from the bottom of the tank A and delivered
directly into the top thereof and the additional tank F is dispensed with.
Although I prefer to use a solution of hydrochloric acid as above described, I may
employ a solution of sulphuric acid, the results obtained, however, are not so good
with the sulphuric acid as with the hydrochloric acid. Moreover I might with less
advantage use other acid or alkaline solutions.
I am aware that many processes have already been devised for separating silk fibres
from each other by steeping them in acid or alkaline solutions. These processes are,
however, unsatisfactory because the cocoons or silk fibres are not uniformly heated
and are therefore liable to be injured, or destroyed through overheating; whereas by

page_text: my improved process I obviate the liability to overheating of the cocoons or silk fibres
and provide in a very efficient and advantageous manner for the separation of the
fibres without weakening the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood that I do not
claim broadly or irrespectively of my improvements herein set forth the steeping of
cocoons or silk fibres in a solution of hydrochloric or sulphuric acid or in other
acids or alkaline solutions; but I claim :-
First. The herein described method of ensuring the uniform heating of the cocoons
or silk fibres, consisting in keeping the same in constant motion while submerged in
the heated solution or causing the said solution to circulate through the mass of
cocoons or silk fibres, substantially as set forth.
Second. The improved method or process consisting in immersing silk cocoons, raw
silk, silk wasto or the like in a solution of hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, heating the
said solution and keeping the cecoons or silk fibres constantly in motion therein or
causing the said solution to circulate through the mass, substantially as, and for the
purposes, above specified.
Third. An apparatus for the purposes above specified, wherein a drum or cage for
holding the cocoons, silk waste or the like, is arranged to rotate within a tank or
vessel provided with means for heating the solution therein, substantially as set
forth.
Fourth. An apparatus for the purposes above specified, comprising a tank or vessel
having one or more compartments for containing the cocoons, silk waste or the liko
and provided with a pump or other means for causing a constant circulation of the
solution therein, and with means for heating the said solution, substantially as set
forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.