Improvements in Degreasing and Cleansing Wool, Cotton-waste, and like Materials, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Degreasing and Cleansing Wool, Cotton-waste, and
like Materials, and in Apparatus therefor.
1, FREDERICK NICHOLSON TURNEY, of Whitemoor Leather Works, in the
Town and County of the Town of Nottingham, Leather Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton
waste, and like materials, and to apparatus therefor, the object being to effect these
operations in a less troublesome and more economical and efficient manner than
heretofore, with solvents such as petroleum, ether, or bisulphide of carbon, in tanks
arranged in a vapour tight apparatus provided with air locks at its entrance
and exit.
An essential feature of my invention consists in introducing the material to be
treated into the apparatus in a continuous or practically continuous layer, wound
between the convolutions of a canvas or other band, wherby a sufficiently large
quantity of material can be introduced at a time into the entrance air lock, to
keep the apparatus supplied for a considerable period.
A further essential feature consists in subjecting the material to a beating or
stamping operation while in the solvent to facilitate the degreasing and cleansing,
I having ascertained from experiments that this can be effected in solvents of the
kind mentioned without fear of the material becoming felted, or having its
quality impaired. And in order to further diminish the risk of injury, I provide
the beaters or stamps with specially constructed adjustable heads having cushioning
springs to deaden the force of the impact.
In carrying out my invention, I provide, for the purpose of winding the material
between the convolutions of the band, a suitable winder comprising a frame mounted
on wheels and having rollers, between two of which the canvas band extends, one
of these two rollers receiving the band alone, while the other receives it with the
material wound up in it. As the band is being wound from the former roller
onto the latter one, it passes over a guide roller and the material to be degreased
and cleansed is spread upon it by hand (being, if desired, sorted at the same time)
and is wound up therewith. A pressure roller is provided to keep the band tight
in winding, and to compress the material into small compass.
When the winder is
full it is run into the entrance air lock of the apparatus, and a pinion, on the axle
of the roller receiving the empty band, is caused to engage with a pinion whose
axle passes through the side wall of the air lock, and is driven from the outside
by any suitable means. The outer door of the air lock is then closed, and the inner
door communicating with the degreasing chamber opened, and the canvas band
caused to be unwound at a uniform rate by rotating the said empty band-roller by
the means first mentioned, and the arrangement is such that as the band is unwound
the material falls off it and passes to the first tank of the apparatus. These
tanks are arranged in cascade or step by step fashion, the last tank of the series
being at the highest level, and in each tank is provided a perforated endless apron
or sheet onto which the material falls, and by which it is conveyed to the other
end of the tank where there is arranged a set of rollers to receive it from the
apron and to raise it up to a pair of rolls which squeeze the solvent out of it before
it passes to the next tank. The aprons are submerged in the solvent and travel

page_text: over suitable supports. Instead of the aprons, perforated rollers may be employed,
while the material may be lifted up to the squeezing rolls by bands if desired.
The beaters or stamps are arranged above the aprons (or perforated rollers) and
are operated by wipers, or other suitable means, which impart to them short rapid
strokes; they serve to beat the dirt out of the material and cause the solvent to
thoroughly permeate such material.
The material, on leaving the squeezing rolls of the last tank of the series, falls
into the drying chamber which is advantageously divided into a number of com-
partments by horizontal staggered partitions, and a current of warm air is caused
to circulate through these compartments and to pass thence to a condenser; in
addition, steam pipes may be employed to heat the drying chamber. In each
compartment is an endwise belt, that in one compartment travelling in the opposite
direction to that in the next, so that the incoming material, after falling upon
the uppermost belt, is carried along by it and falls from it on to the next belt, and so
on until it has passed through all the compartments of the drying chamber. Thence
it passes to a pair of vertical belts (or to other convenient means) which raise it and
deliver it to a hopper, down which it falls into the exit air lock, through an opening
adapted to be closed by a vapour tight door, prior to emptying the said air lock.
In some cases, as for instance when the material is to be taken direct from the
exit air lock to preparatory or to combing machines, instead of being made up into
bales, the vertical bands and the hopper may be dispensed with, and a winder
similar to that herein before mentioned may be placed in the exit air lock, and the
material may pass directly to it and be wound up thereon.
The solvent for the degreasing and cleansing operations is admitted to the last
or highest of the series of tanks and flows successively from tank to tank through
openings in a direction contrary to that in which the material is passing through
said tanks. From the lowest or first of the tanks, the solvent flows to a still
where it is recovered for re-use.
Dated thin 9th day of Amount 1005
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 5ª Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Degreasing and Cleansing Wool, Cotton-waste, and
like Materials, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, FREDERICK NICHOLSON TURNEY, of Whitemoor Leather Works, in the
Town and County of the Town of Nottingham, Leather Manufacturer, 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,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say :-
This invention relates to improvements in degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton
waste, and like materials, and to apparatus therefor, the object being to effect these
operations in a less troublesome and more economical and efficient manner than
'heretofore, with volatile solvents, such as petroleum spirit, bisulphide of carbon,
or other carbon compounds, in tanks arranged in vapour tight apparatus provided
with air locks at its entrance and exit.
An essential feature of my invention consists in introducing the material to be
treated into the apparatus in a continuous, or practically continuous, layer, wound
under pressure between the convolutions of a canvas or other band arranged in a
-specially constructed winder, whereby a sufficiently large quantity of material can

page_text: be introduced at a time into the entrance air lock of the apparatus, to keep the
apparatus supplied for a considerable period.
A further essential feature consists in subjecting the material to a beating or
stamping operation while in the solvent, to facilitate the degreasing and cleansing.
I am aware that it has heretofore been deemed impracticable to subject wool to
a beating or stamping operation, on account of the danger of felting it, but I have
found, from experiment, that this objection does not apply, if a suitable volatile
solvent be employed.
To diminish the risk of cutting or breaking the fibres of the material, and also
to accomodate the varying thicknesses of the material, I may provide the beaters
or stamps with specially constructed adjustable heads having cushioning springs.
The invention also comprises other features, as will be hereinafter pointed out.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a vertical section, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 an end view, showing the
general arrangement of apparatus constructed according to this invention.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation, and Fig. 5. a plan, of the specially constructed winder
above mentioned.
Fig. 6 is a plan, Fig. 7 a longitudinal vertical section, taken on the line x, x,
of Fig. 8, and Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line y, y, of Fig. 7, showing, to
a larger scale, one of the tanks for the solvent, and means for beating or stamping
the material while immersed in the solvent.
Fig. 9 is a transverse section showing a modified arrangement of certain of the
parts illustrated in Fig. 7.
The apparatus is divided into two main portions or vapour tight chambers A
and B, arranged one above the other, and communicating with each other by a
vapour tight shaft or trunk C. The upper portion A forms the degreasing or
cleansing chamber, and has an inlet air lock A', while the lower portion B forms
the drying chamber, and has an exit air lock B2 integral with it. The apparatus
also comprises settling tanks, and a still. (not shown), for the purification and
recovery of used solvent, and a fan or blower D, air heater E, and a condenser F,
for the purpose of causing a current of heated air to pass through the drying
chamber, and for condensing and recovering the solvent carried off by such air.
The chamber A is provided with a removable cover A² to permit of access to
the interior.
a are the solvent tanks, which are arranged in cascade or step by step fashion,
the one farthest from the air lock A' being at the highest level, so that the solvent
entering it by an inlet pipe a', flows down from tank to tank through overflow
openings a (Fig. 7) in the partitions a³ between the tanks, to the outlet pipe a*,
by which it passes to the recovery apparatus.
The tanks communicate with a draw-off pipe a* for the removal of sediment to
settling tanks (not shown), and suitable valves a**, a**, are provided, so that any
tank can be cleaned separately without interfering with the others.
The winder comprises a frame 6 (see Figs. 4 and 5) mounted on wheels b', and
carrying the band e in which the material is wound, and which passes over a guide
roller. This band is connected at its ends to rollers c³, c³, the former of which receives
it when the material is wound up in it, while the latter receives it in its ordinary
state, as indicated by the chain line c*. The material to be degreased and cleansed
is spread upon the band by hand, or other means, while the said band is being
wound from the roller c³ on to the roller, and can, if desired, be sorted at the
same time. is a pressure roller for keeping the band tight and compressing the
material. This roller crises and falls in guides c, and is held up against the band
on the roller 2 by chains e passing round loose pulleys e on the roller axle, and
attached to a weight c', the other ends of the chains being secured to the frame b.
When the winder is full, it is run into the entrance air lock, on the rails b², and
means are provided for causing the band to be unwound from outside the apparatus.
In the present case, this is effected by a pinion ³ on the axle of the roller c³, which
pinion comes into engagement with a pinion 6, inside the air lock A' whose axle

page_text: passes out through the wall of this air lock and is driven by differential gear, or
by any other suitable means. This arrangement enables the band c to be unwound
at a uniform rate, from the roller c³ onto the roller c, when the winder is enclosed
in the air-lock, and during this unwinding the material falls off the band, over the
guide roller c, through an opening 6 (provided with a sliding door & operated by
a rack and pinion from outside) and over a ledge a to the first of the tanks a in the
degreasing chamber.
In each tank a, is provided a perforated endless apron or sheet as, (driven by
any suitable means) on to which the incoming material falls, and by which it is
conveyed to the other end of the tank, where there are arranged rollers a' (driven
by any convenient means) which receive the material from the perforated endless
apron or sheet a and raise it to a pair of squeezing rolls aº, which squeeze the
solvent out of it before it finally leaves the tank, the said solvent being conducted
back into the tank by means of a drip guide a³.
The endless aprons a are formed of iron plates, perforated to allow the dirt to
escape, as removed from the material. They travel over suitable supports a¹º, and
are submerged only to such an extent as is necessary to cause the material on them
to be properly covered with solvent. all are guard plates arranged at each side
of the apron to prevent any material falling into the tanks. To avoid the dirt
falling upon the lower portion of the endless apron a³, an inclined guide a is
arranged within the apron to conduct the dirt to the converging sides of the
tank.
Instead of the aprons, perforated rollers may be employed, and the material may
be lifted up to the squeezing rolls by bands, if desired.
The beaters or stamps, which are made of wood, or other suitable material, are,
in the arrangement shown in Figs. 6 to 8, provided with adjustable heads d, and are
arranged in sets in a suitable framing d', above each of the aprons (or perforated
rollers). They are operated by wipers d³ mounted on shafts d', driven by bevel
gear from a transverse shaft d, which derives its motion, by means of a belt (or
chain) d, from a pulley d whose axle passes out through a stuffing-box in the
outer wall or casing of the apparatus, and is driven by any suitable means. The
beater heads are arranged in transversely disposed sets, each set being carried by
a plate d having a wooden facing block do. At each end, the carrying plate d' is
secured to a vertical lifting 1od do working in the framing d, and having a pin d
upon which the wipers d' act to lift the beaters or stamps. Between the beater
heads d, and the carrying plate d', are springs d" (see Fig. 7) to cushion or deaden
the blow or impact of the beaters upon the material, and each head is connected
with the plate, by 1ods d¹s having adjusting nuts, while down the centre of each
spring extends a steadying pin d¹³, the outside steadying pins of each set being
continuations of the lifting rods do, and the intermediate ones being secured in
enlargements or bosses d" on the said carrying plate.
The wipers d impart to the beaters short rapid strokes, whereby the dirt is
beaten out, and the solvent caused to thoroughly permeate the material.
In the modification shown in Fig. 9, each beater consists of a single board or
head d, the length of which is about equal to the width of the endless band or
apron, instead of consisting of a set of heads or square blocks provided with separate
springs and guide rods. This board or head is secured, at each end, to a vertical
lifting rod d working in the framing d', and around the lower end of said rod d
may be arranged a helical spring dis between the board d and the framing d¹; or
the boards may be weighted to fall upon the material by gravity. The apron a³,
in this case, hangs loosely over rollers arranged at different levels, as shown, and
conveys the material directly up to the squeezing rolls as without the intervention
of rollers, such as a'. A guide plate a¹³, fixed to the walls of the tank, and suitably
curved to the sag of the apron a³, is arranged at each side thereof to maintain the
apron even and of uniform curve.
The material, on leaving the squeezing rolls of the last tank, falls down the
vertical shaft C into the drying chamber B, which may be divided by horizontal

page_text: staggered partitions e into a number of compartments, through which warm air is
caused to circulate (in the direction indicated by the curved arrows) by the fan D,
as herein before mentioned. Steam pipes e', may be arranged inside the drying
chamber, to increase or to maintain the temperature, as required. The warm air
after leaving the drying chamber, passes through an aperture to the condenser F,
and thence by a pipe F to the air heater E, previous to being again forced through
the drying chamber. In each of the said compartments of the drying chamber is
an endless belt e³, formed advantageously of chains carrying slat work, the belt in
one compartment travelling in the opposite direction to that in the next, as
indicated by the straight arrows, and a space is left at the end of each belt and
partition to allow for the passage of the material from one belt to the other.
The material falls down the vertical shaft C, onto the uppermost belt, by which
it is carried along to the opposite end of the drying chamber, and falls onto the
belt below, and so on, until it arrives at the lowest belt of all. Guide boards or
plates are arranged, as shown, to guide the material in its passage through the
drying chamber.
The lowest belt of the drying chamber projects through an opening into a
compartment B₁, in which a pair of endless belts f, or other suitable means, are
provided to raise the material and drop it into a hopper f¹ having a vapour tight
door f, worked from outside by a rack and pinion arrangement f³, or otherwise.
This door is normally open, so that the material falls through the hopper into the
exit air lock B2; and collects therein.
When a sufficient quantity of degreased, cleansed, and dried material has
accumulated in the air lock B, the door f' is closed, the outer door B³ of the air lock is
opened, and the accumulated material removed. This does not interfere with the
working of the apparatus, as the material delivered from the drying chamber is,
meanwhile, being collected in the hopper, from which, however, it passes into the
air lock B, immediately the latter has been emptied, the door B³ closed, and the
door opened.
A glazed aperture B₁ may be provided in the exit air lock to enable the attendant
to see what quantity of material has accumulated; and boxes or cages may be
provided to enter the air lock and receive the material, thus facilitating its
removal.
In some cases, as for instance when the material is to be taken direct from the exit
air lock, to preparatory, or to combing machines, the vertical bands and the hopper
may be dispensed with, and a winder, similar to that hereinbefore described, may
be placed in the exit air lock, and the material may pass directly to it and be
wound up thereon.
The entrance air lock, and the exit air lock, if necessary, can be connected with
condensing coils, by means of piping, and an exhaust fan can he used to withdraw
the vapour and to blow a current of cool air through the air locks, or through the
entire apparatus, to avoid danger to the attendants on opening the "degreasing
chamber, or repairing the apparatus.
The solvent for the degreasing and cleansing operations is admitted to the highest
of the series of tanks, and flows successively, from tank to tank, through openings,
in a direction contrary to that in which the material is passing through said tanks.
From the lowest of the tanks, the solvent flows to a still, wherein it is recovered
for re-use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be perforined, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like materials, the method
of introducing such materials into the degreasing and cleansing apparatus, in a
continuous, or practically continuous, layer which consists in winding the same
under pressure, between the convolutions or folds of a canvas or other suitable band,
and then introducing the rolled band into the apparatus, and causing it to be

page_text: unwound by suitable means operated from outside the apparatus, substantially as
described.
2. In degreasing and cleansing wool, subjecting it to a beating or stamping
operation, while immersed in a volatile solvent, so as to facilitate the degreasing
and cleansing action.
3. In the process of degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like
materials, subjecting the material, while immersed in the volatile solvent, to a
series of successive beatings or stampings during its passage through the solvent
tanks, and then squeezing it after each beating or stamping to remove the solvent,
substantially as described.
4. In the process of degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like
materials, winding up said material in a roll, under pressure, then unwinding it and
passing it repeatedly through a volatile solvent, beating or stamping it during each
immersion in the solvent, squeezing it after each immersion, and drying it by
passing over or through it a current of heated air, substantially as described.
5. For use in connection with apparatus for degreasing and cleansing wool,
cotton waste, and like materials, the travelling winder for winding up the material,
under pressure, between the convolutions or folds of a canvas or other suitable
band, having its parts arranged and combined to operate substantially as described
and as shown.
6. In apparatus for degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like
materials, the construction and arrangement of the means for beating such materials
while immersed in the solvent, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 6, 7
and 8; or as modified according to Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings.
7. In apparatus for degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like
materials, the construction and arrangement of drying chamber and exit air lock
integral with said chamber, substantially as described and shown.
. 8. In apparatus for degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste and like
materials, the combination of a degreasing chamber, an air lock for permitting the
supply of material to said chamber, without loss of solvent vapour, solvent tanks
in said degreasing chamber, beaters for beating the material, squeezing rolls
situated between the tanks, a drying chamber divided into horizontal compartments,
a trunk leading from the degreasing to the drying chamber, endless belts in said
drying chamber for carrying the degreased and cleansed material, means for
-causing a current of warm air to flow over or through the material on said belts,
means for recovering the vapour of solvent carried off by said air, a second air
lock for removing the dried material, a compartment between the drying chamber
and the air lock, means in said compartment for raising the dried material, and a
hopper above the air lock to receive the material raised by the bands during the
time the air lock is being emptied, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the tanks for holding the solvent, and a degreasing
chamber for retaining the vapours from such solvent, of a chamber or air lock at
the receiving end, a band, aud roller upon which such band is wound for holding
the material between the convolutions of the band, means for unwinding the band
and delivering the material progressively, after the material has been introduced
into the air lock, and means for carrying the material along progressively through
the tanks and for subjecting the same to beating and squeezing operations,
substantially as described.
10. In an apparatus for degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like
materials, the combination with the tanks containing the solvent, of a degreasing
-chamber for retaining vapours of such solvent, a chamber or air lock at the
receiving end, a travelling winder and rollers, and a band carried by such winder
for receiving and enclosing the material to be cleansed, means for unwinding such
band and delivering the material progressively into the solvent, perforated endless
aprons for carrying such material along though the solvent, and beaters acting
upon such material to remove the dirt, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with the tanks for holding the solvent, and a degreasing

page_text: chamber for retaining the vapour from such solvent, of a chamber or air lock at
the receiving end, a band, and roller upon which such band is wound, for holding
the material between the convolutions of the band, means for unwinding the band
and delivering the material progressively after the band has been introduced
into the air lock, means for carrying the material along progressively through
the tanks, and for subjecting the same to heating and squeezing operations in the
successive tanks, a drying chamber, substantially air tight, having belts within the
same for receiving the material and exposing it to the action of heated air, means
for circulating through such chamber heated air, and a condenser through which
the heated air and vapour are caused to pass for condensing the solvent vapour,
substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with the tanks for holding the solvent, and an enclosure for
retaining the vapours from such solvent, of a chamber or air lock at the receiving
end, a band, and roller upon which such band is wound, for holding the material
between the convolutions of the band, means for unwinding the band and delivering
the material progressively, after the band has been introduced into the airlock,
means for carrying the material along progressively through the tanks, and for
subjecting the same to beating and squeezing operations in the successive tanks, a
drying chamber, substantially air tight, having belts within the same to receive the
material and expose it to the action of heated air, means for circulating through
Buch chamber heated air, and a condenser through which the heated air is caused
to pass for condensing the solvent, a chamber for receiving the material after it
has been dried, and a movable door for the discharge of the material periodically,
substantially as set forth.
13. My improvements in degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like
materials, substantially as herein before described.
14. The general arrangement and combination of parts, constituting my improved
apparatus for degreasing and cleansing wool, cotton waste, and like materials,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the annexed drawings.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 5ª Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.